Author(s)

M.W. Heinstein, S.W. Attaway J.W. Swegle & F.J. Mello

Abstract

A general contact detection algorithm for finite element analysis M.W. Heinstein, S.W. Attaway J.W. Swegle, F.J. Mello Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, Mezzco 27J&5, A contact detection algorithm has been developed to address difficulties associated with the numerical simulation of contact in nonlinear finite element structural analysis codes. Mechanics problems which have self-contacting surfaces, tearing and eroding surfaces, and multi-body impact are solved using the new algorithm. The proposed algorithm is portable between dynamic and quasi-static codes and can efficiently model contact between a variety of finite element types including shells, bricks, beams and particles. The algorithm is composed of (1) a location strategy that uses a global search to decide which slave nodes are in proximity to a master surface and (2) an accurate detailed contact check that uses the projected motions of both master surface and slave node. The capability of the new

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