Abstract:A simpl ified model is presented for cushion legs. Shell elements and beam elements are separately u sed to simulate the cylinders, taking the flexibility and the friction forc e of landing legs into consideration. Connector elements are used to present th e dynamic performance of crushable material, improving the computational ef ficiency. Implicit dynamics procedure is introduced to ensure the calculation a c curacy. The results show that shell element model can reflect the effect of leg s′ flexibility on landing performance better, meanwhile, as friction coefficien t increasing, the energy absorption capabilities of legs are decreased.