Modeling and analysing multibody systems require a comprehensive understanding of the kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies. In this volume, the relevant fundamental principles are first reviewed in detail and illustrated in conformity with the multibody formalisms that follow. Whatever the kind of system (tree-like structures, closed-loop mechanisms, systems containing flexible beams or involving tire/ground contact, wheel/rail contact, etc), these multibody formalisms have a common feature in the proposed approach, viz, the symbolic generation of most of the ingredients needed to set up...