This paper describes two aspects of multibody system (MBS) dynamics on a generalized mass metric in Riemannian velocity space and recursive momentum formulation. Firstly, we present a detailed expression of the Riemannian metric and operator factorization of a generalized mass tensor for the dynamics of general-topology rigid MBS. The derived expression allows a clearly understanding the components of the generalized mass tensor, which also constitute a metric of the Riemannian velocity space. It is being the fact that there does exist a common metric in Lagrange and recursive Newton-Euler dynamic equation, we can determine, from the Riemannian geometric point of view, that there is the equivalent relationship between the two approaches to a given MBS. Next, from the generalized momentum definition in the derivation of the Riemannian velocity metrics, recursive momentum equations of MBS dynamics are developed for progressively more complex systems: serial chains, topological trees, and closed-loop systems. Through the principle of impulse and momentum, a new method is proposed for reorienting and locating the MBS form a given initial orientation and location to desired final ones without needing to solve the motion equations.

This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.