FINITE ELEMENT APPROXIMATIONS OF SMOOTH CONTACT-IMPACT PROBLEMS

Abstract

This study is concerned with finite element models and solution algorithms for a class of contact-impact problems which are formulated within the frame-work of the modern theory of variational inequalities. Discussions are limited to smooth contact-impact of a linearly elastic body to a rigid support.
A brief review on two distinct variational formulations and associated algorithms is first given and then a new algorithm based on reciprocal formulation is proposed. According to presented numerical experiments, the new algorithm converges rather rapidly and is easy to use. Numerous examples including classical contact, rigid punch, and transient analyses of impact problems are presented and discussed. Possible extensions of the current study are also discussed.