Abstract:  Applicability of two different impact models considering damping in the process of normal contact-impact between a flexible beam and a rigid sphere was investigated, combining the theoretical and experimental methods. Based on Euler-Bernoulli beam assumption and geometric nonlinear theory, dynamic model of a planar flexible beam was established using absolute nodal coordinate formulation. Firstly, impact dynamic equations of flexible multi-body system are established using nonlinear spring-damper model, and then considering residual local deformation, dynamic equations of the system are established using elastic-plastic impact model, in which the impact can be divided into three periods: The elastic loading, the elastic-plastic loading, and the elastic unloading. Finally, a normal impact experiment between a flexible beam and a rigid sphere was carried out to verify that the elastic-plastic impact model is more suitable for impact analysis by comparison of the simulation and experiment results.

Key words:  contact-impact, nonlinear spring-damper model, elastic-plastic impact model