| This dissertation presents the foundational ideas, theory, and example problems and applications associated with the development and implementation of a new method of handling large unilateral multibody dynamic systems. The presented method is generated from the existing state of the art in multibody algorithms with a novel approach in the handling of a category of unilateral constraints. This class of unilateral constraints is best characterized as two or more bilateral constraints that alternate in time, with weak or no dependance on intricate contact models. This includes many common cases, such as stiction, impacts, assembly (snap fits, etc), and many more. This research is significant to the MEMS community due to the potentially massive numbers of component with unilateral constraints. The tools developed are validated and applied to a real microelectromechanical system. |
