A parallel finite element contact/impact algorithm for non‐linear explicit transient analysis: Part I—The search algorithm and contact mechanics

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Abstract
A contact algorithm has been developed and implemented in a non‐linear dynamic explicit finite element program to analyse the response of three‐dimensional shell structures. The contact search algorithm accounts for initial contact, sliding, and release through the use of a parametric representation of the motion of points located on the surface of the structure combined with a contact surface representation which approximates the actual surface by means of triangular search planes. The mechanics of contact is handled by taking advantage of the fact that an explicit time integration scheme results in very small displacements during a time step. The amount of overlap of the discrete representation of the surfaces which occurs at contact is taken as a measure of the approach of the surfaces. Hence, experimental data which relates approach to normal contact pressure can be used to determine the contact pressure applied to the finite element model of the surface as contact evolves. The friction model also incorporates experimental data on the dependence of the coefficient of friction on both the relative sliding velocity and on the relative tangential displacement between surfaces in contact observed in friction tests. The parallel implementation of this contact algorithm and its performance on a 128‐processor distributed‐memory multiprocessor computer is discussed in Part II of this paper.

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