TABLE OF CONTENTS This paper provides an overview of a multi-physics approach to dynamics analysis across the physics of scale, typically existing in many machines and mechanisms. The interactive nature of phenomena calls for such holistic approaches within objective system engineering applications. The paper provides a number of powertrain investigations of significant concern in industry, and shows the validity of the proposed approach in their investigation. The emphasis is put upon the hierarchical and interactive nature of the problems and physics of scale from sub-micrometer to large displacements, including surface interactions, lubricated concentrated contacts, structural vibration, acoustic radiation and constrained inertial dynamics.
Key words: multi-body systems, dynamics.
In recent years greater attention has progressively been put on the interactions of various phenomena in the dynamic analysis of systems [1]. These phenomena may follow a different strand of fundamental physics, and thus served by a particular evolved discipline, such as tribology, thermodynamics and structural integrity. However, the core discipline remains the physics of motion. As the investigation tools have improved due to technological advances, the long recognised important interactive nature of these phenomena can be taken into account. Within the discipline of dynamics, the motion of particles and bodies can be studied with regard to interaction of matter at all...
