| This thesis demonstrated the ability of applying NURBS in finite element analysis by performing the dynamic impact analysis of a thin, plastic ball and post-processing the analysis results with a NURBS program written in Visual Basic. The plastic ball of 1/8&inches; thickness, 1 psi internal pressure, and 1 mph initial velocity was modeled in PATRAN and analyzed with DYTRAN analysis package. Representative data points of the pre-impact and post-impact results were obtained and used as inputs to a self-developed NURBS program which could calculate the control points, the data points, and draw NURBS curves. The curves sucessfully showed the deformation of the ball from its orginal shape after impact. |
