Jtam.dvi


JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL

AND APPLIED MECHANICS

49, 4, pp. 1003-1017, Warsaw 2011

MODELLING AND ANALYSIS OF BEAM/BAR STRUCTURE
BY APPLICATION OF BOND GRAPHS

Cezary Orlikowski
Rafał Hein

Gdansk University of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Department, Gdańsk, Poland

e-mail: corlikow@pg.gda.pl; rahe@pg.gda.pl

The paper presents a uniform, port-based approach to modelling of be-
am/bar systems (trusses). The port-based model of such a distributed
parameter systemhasbeendefinedbyapplication of the bond graphme-
thodology and the distributed transfer function method (DTFM). The
proposed method of modelling enables one to formulate input data for
computer analysis by application of the DTFM. The constructed com-
putational package enables frequency domain analysis. Additionally, the
presented approachusesDTFM to obtain amodal reducedmodel of the
considered system in the form of modal bond graph. The presented al-
gorithm in a simply way allows one to obtain amodal reducedmodel of
complex distributed-lumped parameter beam/bar systems.

Key words: mechanical system, modelling, modal analysis

1. Introduction

A typical mechatronic system consists of different domain subsystems. The
model of the whole system should be closely related to the system structure
and parameters. The port-based technique seems to be an appropriate appro-
ach for modelling of that kind of systems. One of the well known port-based
techniques is the bond graphmethod (Amerongen et al., 2000; Granda, 2002;
Orlikowski, 2005). It is a diagram-based (graphical) tool used for description of
physical systems and to predict their dynamic behaviour. Bond graphsmodel-
ling is based on energy flow and exchange. In this approach, themodel of the
whole system is constructed from its submodels by their straightforward inter-
connection. Models obtained in a such way are reusable and extendible. Such
an approach is an especially convenient tool for modelling of multi-domain



1004 C. Orlikowski, R. Hein

complex mechatronic systems. It means that a system composed of different
mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal and other components
can be simply and directly translated into unified description of the bond
graphmodel. Bond graph notation contains all information about the system
structure andmathematical description related to the investigated system.
In paper Orlikowski (2005) there is presented a uniform, port-based ap-

proach to modelling of both lumped and distributed parameter systems. The
port-based model of a distributed system has been defined by application of
the bond graph methodology and the distributed transfer function method
(DTFM) (Yang and Tan, 1992; Yang, 1994). The approach proposed combi-
nes versatility of port-basedmodelling andaccuracy of the distributed transfer
function method. The concise representation of lumped-distributed systems
has been obtained. The proposed method of modelling enables one to formu-
late input data for computer analysis by application of DTFM.
Distributed parameter systems are given in terms of partial differential

equations. However, similar to lumped parameter systems, they can also be
described by the transfer functionmethod. In this case, the distributed trans-
fer function is the correspondingmathematical model (Orlikowski et al., 2009,
Yang, 1994). It contains all information about the system and enables one to
obtain the response under any excitation and to predict the system spectrum.
The distributed transfer function method (DTFM) does not assume any ap-
proximation by lumping technique. Thus, the distributed parameter nature
of the system is fully taken into account in a systematic way. This is espe-
cially important in modelling of mechanical systems for control/mechatronics
purposes.
Thispaperpresents theuse ofbondgraphandDTFMmethod formodeling

of beam/bar systems and trusses. The simple example illustrates application
of the developed computer program for modelling and analysis of such sys-
tems. It is possible to analyse beam/bar systems in the frequency domain
(frequency characteristics, eigenvalues, eigenfunctions, response to harmonic
excitation) and to obtain a reduced-order modal model of the system. The
modal model can be exported to 20-Sim (Weustink et al., 1998) software for
further processing.

2. Modelling of beam/bar structure

In the method presented in Orlikowski (2005) distributed parameter subsys-
tems of the whole complex system are defined (described) as multiport ele-
ments. In the distributed parameter multiport, some power ports are related



Modelling and analysis of beam/bar structure... 1005

to boundary conditions, and some of them are related to external load. Power
ports are places at which the subsystems can be interconnected and at which
the power flows from one subsystem to another one. The power flowing into
or out of a port can be expressed as the product of two variables (e(t) – effort
and f(t) – flow). The general concept of the port-basedmodel of a distributed
parameter system is presented in Fig.1.

Fig. 1. General concept of the port-basedmodel of a distributed parameter system
(system and corresponding bond graphmodel)

The considered beam/bar systems are assumed to be composed of one-
dimensional distributed parameter systems. For each element, there exist four
possible displacements: longitudinal, transverse displacements in two perpen-
dicular planes, torsional (see Fig.2).

Fig. 2. Beam/bar element with four possible displacements: 1 – longitudinal,
2, 3 – transverse displacement in y and z direction, respectively, 4 – torsional

displacement (yz-plane)

If the overall structure is composed of such elements, then the overall
mathematical model can be formulated by application of partial differential
equations (PDE)with appropriate boundaryconditions dependenton external
fixing and connections between the elements.



1006 C. Orlikowski, R. Hein

In the beamproblem, two variables are related to each boundarypoint, i.e.
at x=0 and at x= l. Figure 3. presents the beam with exemplary bounda-
ry conditions, its partial differential equation (after Laplace’s transformation
with respect to time) and the corresponding bond graph representation. Fi-
gures 4 and 5 present mathematical and bond graph models of the bar with
longitudinal and torsional displacement, respectively.

η=0 :Sf Se : fy =0

My EJ
∂4η

∂x4
+ρAs2η=Fy(s)δ(x−x0)

ϕz =0 :Sf Se : τz =0

ξ=0 :Sf Se : fz =0

Mz EJ
∂4ζ

∂x4
+ρAs2ζ =Fz(s)δ(x−x0)

ϕy =0 :Sf Se : τy =0

Fig. 3. Beam element with exemplary boundary conditions, corresponding equation
and bond graph representation, My,Mz – multiport representing distributed
parameter elements, ζ,η,ξ – displacements in x, ,y and z directions, respectively,
fy, fz – forces, τy, τz – bending moment, s – Laplace operator, Se, Sf – sources,
E – Youngmodulus, J –moment of inertia, ρ –mass density, A – cross-sectional

area, δ – Dirac delta

Figure 6 presents the part of a space truss (beam/bar structure) and its
bondgraphmodel in general form.The formof the junction structure depends
on particular connections between elements.

3. Computer aided modelling of beam/bar systems by application
of bond graphs

One of the main and most challenging steps in the analysis by application of
DTFM is generation of a computermodel. For this reason, a pre-processor has
been developed in order to help creating of the model. The pre-processor is
integrated with theMathematica software as the simulation tool.



Modelling and analysis of beam/bar structure... 1007

ζ =0 :Sf Mx Se : fx =0 ρAs
2ζ−EA

∂2ζ

∂x2
=Fx(s)δ(x−x0)

Fig. 4. Bar element (longitudinal vibrations) with exemplary boundary conditions,
corresponding equation and bond graph representation, Mx –multiport

representing the distributed parameter element, ζ,η,ξ – displacements in x, ,y
and z directions, respectively, fx – force, s – Laplace operator, Sf – source,
E – Youngmodulus, ρ – mass density, A – cross-sectional area, δ – Dirac delta

ϕ=0 :Sf Myz Se : τx =0 ρJ0s
2ϕ−GJ0

∂2ϕ

∂x2
=Mx(s)δ(x−x0)

Fig. 5. Bar element (torsional vibrations) with exemplary boundary conditions,
corresponding equation and bond graph representation, Myz(ϕ) –multiport
representing the distributed parameter element, ζ,η,ξ – displacements in x, ,y
and z directions, respectively, τx – torque, s – Laplace operator, Sf – source,
E – Youngmodulus, J –moment of inertia, ρ –mass density, A – cross-sectional

area, ϕ – angular displacement around x axis, δ – Dirac delta

Fig. 6. Beam/bar structure (a) and its bond graphmodel in a general form (b)



1008 C. Orlikowski, R. Hein

The input data for analysis is presented in form of the bond graph mo-
del. The bond graph based approach allows themodelling of interdisciplinary
and complex systems. Additionally, it enables one to automate the process of
generation of the system equation related to DTFM methodology. Figure 7
shows accessible elements in the created bond graph editor, whereas Fig.8 –
exemplary beam/bar system and the corresponding bond graph.

Fig. 7. Bond graph editor toolbar of the developed package: S – sources,
D – detector, R,C, I – basic one-port elements, TF ,GY – basic two-port
elements, 0, 1 – 0/1 junctions, W –multiport element (lumped parameters),
M –multiport element (distributed parameters), h – transfer function (signal

transformation element)

Fig. 8. Simple beam/bar structure (a) and its bond graph (b)

The developed computer modelling and analysis program enables one to
obtain :

• system response to harmonic excitation,

• frequency characteristics,

• eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the system,

• modal reducedmodelof thegiven complexdistributed lumpedparameter
system.



Modelling and analysis of beam/bar structure... 1009

The automatically generated reduced modal model has the form of a bond
graph (modal bond graph). The obtained low-order model can be directly
exported to the professional 20-Sim package for further processing including
nonlinear components and time domain analysis. It is worth to stress that
20-Sim software has been designed for modelling and analysis of mechatronic
systems.

4. Illustrative example 1 – distributed parameter model

For illustrative analysis, a plane framework is considered.Thebeam/bar struc-
ture consists of six rigidly connected elements (Fig.9)with excitation P (force)
and response y (displacement). The bond graph model of the system is pre-
sented in Fig.10. The frequency characteristic (Fig.11) has been obtained by
application of the computer program described in Orlikowski et al. (2009).

Fig. 9. Considered plane framework (l=2m, b=0.1, h=0.1,A= bh=0.01,
E=2.1 ·1011, ρ=7850, J =8.3 ·10−6)

5. Reduced order model of beam/bar structure

Complexity of themodel of amechatronic system is a very important problem
in the analysis and design procedure. It is especially strongly related to the
spatially distributed mechanical systems. In order to obtain enough accuracy
- large complex mathematical models are used for simulation and prediction.
Distributed parametermodels (described above, for example) or finite element
models can be applied.



1010 C. Orlikowski, R. Hein

Fig. 10. Bond graph of the considered plane framework (from Fig.9)

Fig. 11. Frequency characteristic obtained for the system fromFig.9 by simulation
of the bond graphmodel presented in Fig.10

Using thefinite elementmethod, it is possible to obtain an enoughaccurate
model and final results. However, themesh size would become very small and
finally the order of the model would become very high. In response analysis
of large mechanical systems, the use of the complete high-order model results
in considerable computer run time and huge storage requirements as well. An
additionalproblemis that in control (mechatronic) systemsdesignandanalysis
it is useful to work with simple, low-order models, because they are easier to



Modelling and analysis of beam/bar structure... 1011

evaluate. To avoid such a problem, the model reduction by application of the
modal truncation method is widely applied.

As mentioned above, the proposed computer program can be also used
to obtain a reduced-order modal model of the given distributed parameter
structure. Such a model can be next exported to 20-Sim software for further
processing. In this way, it is possible to add some nonlinear components and
to perform time domain analysis. Additionally, it must be pointed out that
application of low-order models is especially convenient in the analysis and
design of control andmechatronic systems.

Figure 12 presents an example of a simple system and the corresponding
model in form of amodal bond graph.

Fig. 12. Beam/bar structure (a) and its modal bond graph (b)

The investigated belowexample illustrates theuseof themodalbondgraph
method for themodelling of beam/bar structures. The proposed approach has
many advantages. Low order of the model and its high accuracy are most
important of them. The obtained reduced model is exact in the frequency
range related to the number of retained modes.

6. Illustrative example 2 – modal bond graph

The exemplary beam/bar structure and its bond graph representation is pre-
sented inFig.13.Figure 14presents data inputwindow for loading appropriate
partial differential equations and its boundary conditions. Figures 15 and 16
present steps of the analysis of the considered beam/bar structure. The ob-
tained results (eigenvalues and eigenfunctions) are necessary formodal model
construction.



1012 C. Orlikowski, R. Hein

Fig. 13. Exemplary beam/bar structure and its bond graph representation
(l=2m, b=0.1, h=0.1,A= bh=0.01,E=2.1 ·1011, ρ=7850,

J =8.3 ·10−6)

Fig. 14. Data input window for loading appropriate partial differential equations
and their boundary conditions



Modelling and analysis of beam/bar structure... 1013

ω1 =102.4921
ω2 =475.5440
ω3 =687.3791
ω4 =835.1297
ω5 =900.4844
ω6 =1646.6756
ω7 =2150.1101
ω8 =2228.2730
ω9 =2302.0675
ω10 =3226.1181

Fig. 15. Data input window for choosing the number of calculated eigenvalues and
the obtained results (eigenvalues of the considered system)

Fig. 16. Data input window for choosing the number of calculated eigenfunctions
and the obtained results (eigenfunctions of the considered system)



1014 C. Orlikowski, R. Hein

The reduced modal model must contain an appropriate number of power
ports needed to establish the system inputs and outputs or to connect other
submodels (nonlinear elements, non-proportional damping, controllers etc.).
Figure 17 presents the defining of modal bond graph power ports. Obtained
modal bond graph related to the structure fromFig.13 is presented in Fig.18.
The graph has been obtained for three retained modes and it has one power
port for the input/output signals.

Fig. 17. Definition of power ports P related to the modal bond graph

Fig. 18. The obtainedmodal bond graph (with three modes retained and with one
power port for input/output signals) of the structure from Fig.13



Modelling and analysis of beam/bar structure... 1015

In order to validate the obtained reduced model frequency characteristics
of the reduced model (Fig.18) and non-reduced model (Fig.13b) have been
compared – see Fig.19. The frequency characteristics are calculated for the
input signal acting at thepoint presented inFig.13a.Thedisplacement output
signal is observedat the samepoint.FromFig.19, one can see that in the range
of frequency related to the number of retainedmodes, the frequency responses
for the reducedmodel have the same shape as for the reference model.

Fig. 19. Frequency response for the reduced and non-reducedmodels

7. Summary

The presented method explores the bond graph technique as the modelling
tool to generate mathematical models of complex beam/bar systems. It ena-
blesmodelling of such systems by application of the bondgraphsmethodology
and theDTFMalgorithm. The developed computer program enables analysis
of the frequency domain of a class of linear systems and obtaining a reduced-
ordermodel in form of a bond graph. The obtainedmodal bond graph can be
directly exported into 20-Sim package for further processing including nonli-
near components, control devices (Fig.20) and time domain analysis. In future
works, active vibration control of complex beam/bar systems (Fig.20) will be
investigated by application of the created method of modelling. The propo-
sed method can help analysis of multi-domain mechatronic systems. A spe-
cial computer programhas been developed. The presented approach combines
advantages of the port-based modelling and the accuracy of the distributed
transfer function method. Computer simulations and numerical calculations
proved that the proposed method is efficient and can be applied for other,
more complex systems.



1016 C. Orlikowski, R. Hein

Fig. 20. Investigated system and its modal bond graph

Acknowledgements The research is supported from the science budget resources

in 2008-2010 as the research project (NN 519404334).

References

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chatronic control system design,Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 30

2. Granda J.J., 2002,The role of bond graphmodeling and simulation inmecha-
tronics systems.An integrated software tool:CAMP-G,MATLAB-SIMULINK,
Mechatronics, 12

3. Orlikowski C., 2005,Modelling Analysis and Synthesis of Dynamic Systems
by Application of Bond Graphs, Wyd. PG, Gdańsk, Seria Monografie, 55 [in
Polish]

4. Orlikowski C., Hein R., CyranR., 2009,Computational algorithm for the
analysis of mechatronic systems with distributed parameter elements, Projek-
towanie Mechatroniczne. Zagadnienia wybrane, Kat. Robotyki i Mechatroniki
AGH,Kraków,Wydawnictwo Instytutu Technologii Eksploatacji Państwowego
Instytutu Badawczego (PiB), Radom

5. Weustink P.B.T., Vries T.J.A., Breedveld P.C., 1998,Object-Oriented
Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronic Systems with 20-sim 3.0, Elsevier
Science Ltd.

6. Yang B., 1994, Distributed transfer function analysis of complex distributed
parameter systems,ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics, 61, 84-92



Modelling and analysis of beam/bar structure... 1017

7. Yang B., Tan C.A., 1992, Transfer functions of one-dimensional distributed
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Modelowanie i analiza konstrukcji belkowo-prętowych z zastosowaniem
grafów wiązań

Streszczenie

W pracy przedstawiono jednolity sposób modelowania konstrukcji belkowo-
prętowych (kratownice).Model rozważanego systemu o parametrach rozłożonych zo-
stał opracowany przy zastosowaniumetodologii grafówwiązań i metody transmitan-
cji układówo parametrach rozłożonych (DTFM). Proponowanametodamodelowania
pozwala sformułować wygodny algorytm do analizy komputerowej z zastosowaniem
DTFM. Opracowany system obliczeniowy umożliwia analizę w dziedzinie częstotli-
wości oraz otrzymanie zredukowanegomodelumodalnego rozważanego układu w po-
staci modalnego grafu wiązań. Prezentowany algorytm w prosty sposób pozwala na
uzyskanie zredukowanegomodelumodalnego złożonych, dyskretno-ciągłych układów
belkowo-prętowych.

Manuscript received October 4, 2010; accepted for print December 16, 2010