The weak form of the SDOF and MDOF equation of motion, part II: A numerical method for the SDOF problem

Abstract

A new, more efficient, numerical method for the SDOF problem is presented. Its construction is based on the weak form of the equation of motion, as obtained in part I of the paper, using piece-wise polynomial functions as interpolation functions. The approximation rate can be arbitrarily high, proportional to the degree of the interpolation functions, tempered only by numerical instability. Moreover, the mechanical energy of the system is conserved. Consequently, all significant drawbacks of existing algorithms, such as the limitations imposed by the Dahlqvist Barrier theorem and the need for introduction of numerical damping, have been overcome.