Author(s)

Th. Charras, A. Millard & P. Verpeaux

Abstract

Solution of 2D and 3D contact problems by means of Lagrange multipliers in the castem 2000 finite element program Th. Charras, A. Millard, P. Verpeaux CE^/DMr/IAMS - CE7V 5Wa%/, Bf n* ^ Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France 1. INTRODUCTION There are many ways to treat contact problems, within the frame of finite element programs. A first classification can be made between explicit and implicit methods. In the case of explicit methods, one tries to determine the precise instant of contact between solids, and from it calculation goes on with new boundary conditions. In the case of implicit methods, contact generally occurs during a time step and therefore boundary conditions have to be changed meanwhile. The second possible classification is associated with the choice of unknowns, i.e. displacement variables in the case of penalty methods like gap elements or dual variables in the case of duality methods like Lagrange multipliers. These methods hav

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