Nonlinear dynamic analysis of arresting gears using 2D non-material variable-domain corotational elements

In this paper, a 2D non-material variable-domain corotational element (NVCE) is developed to perform a nonlinear dynamic analysis of arresting gears. In the arresting process, the impact of the carrier aircraft will result in the arresting cable sliding out of the deck sheaves and undergoing large deformation. The positions of the sheaves relative to the material points of the cable depend on the current configuration of the cable. Considering this type of non-material boundary condition, we model the cable as a sliding flexible structure with multiple non-material supports. Every part between the supports can be discretized using a suitable number of the NVCEs. Based on the corotational method, a 'standard element' can be embedded within the dynamic formulation. To consider the shear deformation and rotary inertia, the interdependent interpolation element is introduced, and three examples are presented to demonstrate the validity, accuracy and effectiveness of the formulation. For the dynamic analysis of the arresting cable, the cable element is introduced to improve the computational efficiency. In the numerical examples, the propagation mechanism of longitudinal waves and kink waves and the dynamic characteristics of the arresting system are investigated. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.