A NOVEL METHOD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTACT INCLUDING ENERGY DISSIPATION IN FINITE ELEMENT METHODS

摘要

A new method for implementing contact/impact in an implicit finite element formulation has recently been developed. The method uses the idea of buoyancy and fluid drag forces to enforce the contact constraint as well as provide a method of dissipating energy due to the contact. Additionally, the method provides a simplified means for accounting for contact friction. The method has potential usefulness in a certain class of problems such as contact with bodies having soft and viscous foundations as well as problems with sliding. In this work, we introduce the method and illustrate it with an example that shows the benefits and utility of the method.