A New Solid-Plate Element Based on Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation and its Application on Satellite Modeling

In this paper, an eight-node solid plate element based on the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation (ANCF) is proposed for multibody dynamics modeling and attitude-control simulation of flexible sandwich solar panels on the satellite under large displacement and rotation. Position and gradient vectors along length and width directions are used as nodal coordinates. Relationship with Bézier geometry and element continuity is discussed. The accuracy and convergence properties of the proposed element are validated through static and dynamic cases. Finally, a rigid-flexible coupled satellite model consisting of a central rigid hub and a sandwich solar panel is constructed through proposed element and ANCF reference node. PID based attitude maneuvers are simulated under multiple non-uniform atmospheric drag disturbance conditions. The attitude angles track the target commands smoothly, indicating engineering applicability of the modeling and simulation method given in this investigation. Overall, the proposed ANCF eight-node solid plate element is validated to provide an effective finite-element basis for multibody dynamics and attitude-control simulation of flexible space structures.