A node-based smoothed point interpolation method for dynamic analysis of rotating flexible beams

We proposed a mesh-free method, the called node-based smoothed point interpolation method (NS-PIM), for dynamic analysis of rotating beams. A gradient smoothing technique is used, and the requirements on the consistence of the displacement functions are further weakened. In static problems, the beams with three types of boundary conditions are analyzed, and the results are compared with the exact solution, which shows the effectiveness of this method and can provide an upper bound solution for the deflection. This means that the NS-PIM makes the system soften. The NS-PIM is then further extended for solving a rigid-flexible coupled system dynamics problem, considering a rotating flexible cantilever beam. In this case, the rotating flexible cantilever beam considers not only the transverse deformations, but also the longitudinal deformations. The rigid-flexible coupled dynamic equations of the system are derived via employing Lagrange’s equations of the second type. Simulation results of the NS-PIM are compared with those obtained using finite element method (FEM) and assumed mode method. It is found that compared with FEM, the NS-PIM has anti-ill solving ability under the same calculation conditions.