Contact In Structural Mechanics

Topics of this book span the range from spatial and temporal discretization techniques for contact and impact problems with small and finite deformations over investigations on the reliability of micromechanical contact models over emerging techniques for rolling contact mechanics to homogenization methods and multi-scale approaches in contact problems.

Many physical systems require the description of mechanical interaction across interfaces if they are to be successfully analyzed. Examples in the engineered world range from the design of prosthetics in biomedical engi neering (e. g. , hip replacements); to characterization of the response and durability of head/disk interfaces in computer magnetic storage devices; to development of pneumatic tires with better handling characteristics and increased longevity in automotive engineering; to description of the adhe sion and/or relative slip between concrete and reinforcing steel in structural engineering. Such mechanical interactions, often called contact/impact in teractions, usually necessitate at minimum the determination of areas over which compressive pressures must act to prevent interpenetration of the mechanical entities involved. Depending on the application, frictional be havior, transient interaction of interfaces with their surroundings (e. g. , in termittent stick/slip), thermo-mechanical coupling, interaction with an in tervening lubricant and/or fluid layer, and damage of the interface (i. e. , wear) may also be featured. When taken together (or even separately!), these features have the effect of making the equations of mechanical evolu tion not only highly nonlinear, but highly nonsmooth as well. While many modern engineering simulation packages possess impressive capabilities in the general area of nonlinear mechanics, it can be contended that methodologies typically utilized for contact interactions are relatively immature in comparison to other components of a nonlinear finite element package, such as large deformation kinematics, inelastic material modeling, nonlinear equation solving, or linear solver technology.

This monograph describes the numerical analysis of non-linearities in structural mechanics, i.e. large rotations, large strain (geometric non-linearities), non-linear material behaviour, in particular elasto-plasticity as well as time-dependent behaviour, and contact. Based on that, the book treats stability problems and limit-load analyses, as well as non-linear equations of a large number of variables. Moreover, the author presents a wide range of problem sets and their solutions. The target audience primarily comprises advanced undergraduate and graduate students of mechanical and civil engineering, but the book may also be beneficial for practising engineers in industry.

Contact in Structural Mechanics treats the problem of contact in the context of large deformations and the Coulomb friction law. The proposed formulation is based on a weak form that generalizes the classical principle of virtual powers in the sense that the weak form also encompasses all the contact laws. This formulation is thus a weighted residue method and has the advantage of being amenable to a standard finite element discretization. This book provides the reader with a detailed description of contact kinematics and the variation calculus of kinematic quantities, two essential subjects for any contact study. The numerical resolution is carried out in statics and dynamics. In both cases, the derivation of the contact tangent matrix – an essential ingredient for iterative calculation – is explained in detail. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the method.

The contact of one deformable body with another lies at the heart of almost every mechanical structure. Here, in a comprehensive treatment, two of the field's leading researchers present a systematic approach to contact problems. Using variational formulations, Kikuchi and Oden derive a multitude of new results, both for classical problems and for nonlinear problems involving large deflections and buckling of thin plates with unilateral supports, dry friction with nonclassical laws, large elastic and elastoplastic deformations with frictional contact, dynamic contacts with dynamic frictional effects, and rolling contacts. This method exposes properties of solutions obscured by classical methods, and it provides a basis for the development of powerful numerical schemes. Among the novel results presented here are algorithms for contact problems with nonlinear and nonlocal friction, and very effective algorithms for solving problems involving the large elastic deformation of hyperelastic bodies with general contact conditions. Includes detailed discussion of numerical methods for nonlinear materials with unilateral contact and friction, with examples of metalforming simulations. Also presents algorithms for the finite deformation rolling contact problem, along with a discussion of numerical examples.

This proceedings volume contains 66 papers presented at the second "Contact Mechanics International Symposium" held in Carry-Le-Rouet. France. from September 19th to 23rd. 1994, attended by 110 participants from 17 countries. This symposium was the continuation of the first CMIS held in 1992 in Lausanne. of the Symposium Euromech 273 "Unilateral Contact and Dry Friction" held in 1990 in La Grande Motte. France. and of the series of "Meetings on Unilateral Problems in Structural Analysis" organized in Italy. every other year. during the eighties. The primary purpose of the symposium was to bring specialists of contact mechanics together in order to draw a representative picture of the state of the art and to identify new trends and new features in the field. In view of the contributions made. one may assert that the mechanics of contact and friction has now reached a stage where the foundations are clear both from the mathematical and from the computational standpoints. Some of the difficulties met may be identified by saying that frictional contact is governed by resistance laws that are non smooth and whose flow rule is not associated with the yield criterion through the traditional normality property.

Computational contact mechanics is a broad topic which brings together algorithmic, geometrical, optimization and numerical aspects for a robust, fast and accurate treatment of contact problems. This book covers all the basic ingredients of contact and computational contact mechanics: from efficient contact detection algorithms and classical optimization methods to new developments in contact kinematics and resolution schemes for both sequential and parallel computer architectures. The book is self-contained and intended for people working on the implementation and improvement of contact algorithms in a finite element software. Using a new tensor algebra, the authors introduce some original notions in contact kinematics and extend the classical formulation of contact elements. Some classical and new resolution methods for contact problems and associated ready-to-implement expressions are provided. Contents: 1. Introduction to Computational Contact. 2. Geometry in Contact Mechanics. 3. Contact Detection. 4. Formulation of Contact Problems. 5. Numerical Procedures. 6. Numerical Examples. About the Authors Vladislav A. Yastrebov is a postdoctoral-fellow in Computational Solid Mechanics at MINES ParisTech in France. His work in computational contact mechanics was recognized by the CSMA award and by the Prix Paul Caseau of the French Academy of Technology and Electricité de France.

The Finite Element Method for Solid and Structural Mechanics is the key text and reference for engineers, researchers and senior students dealing with the analysis and modeling of structures, from large civil engineering projects such as dams to aircraft structures and small engineered components. This edition brings a thorough update and rearrangement of the book’s content, including new chapters on: Material constitution using representative volume elements Differential geometry and calculus on manifolds Background mathematics and linear shell theory Focusing on the core knowledge, mathematical and analytical tools needed for successful structural analysis and modeling, The Finite Element Method for Solid and Structural Mechanics is the authoritative resource of choice for graduate level students, researchers and professional engineers. A proven keystone reference in the library of any engineer needing to apply the finite element method to solid mechanics and structural design Founded by an influential pioneer in the field and updated in this seventh edition by an author team incorporating academic authority and industrial simulation experience Features new chapters on topics including material constitution using representative volume elements, as well as consolidated and expanded sections on rod and shell models