Scalar form of dynamic equations for a cluster of bodies

The dynamic equations for an arbitrary cluster comprising rigid spheres or assemblies of spheres (subclusters) encountered in granular-type systems are considered. The system is treated within the framework of multibody dynamics. It is shown that for an arbitrary cluster topology the governing equations can be given in an explicit scalar from. The derivation is based on the D\'Alembert principle, on inertial coordinate system for each body and direct utilization of the path matrix describing the topology. The scalar form of the equations is important in computer simulations of flow of granular-type materials. An illustrative example of a three-body system is given.