Finite Element Algorithms for Contact Problems

The numerical treatment of contact problems involves the formulation of the geometry, the statement of interface laws, the variational formulation and the development of algorithms. In this paper we give an overview with regard to the different topics which are involved when contact problems have to be simulated. To be most general we will derive a geometrical model for contact which is valid for large deformations. Furthermore interface laws will be discussed for the normal and tangential stress components in the contact area. Different variational formulations can be applied to treat the variational inequalities due to contact. Several of these different techniques will be presented. Furthermore the discretization of a contact problem in time and space is of great importance and has to be chosen with regard to the nature of the contact problem. Thus the standard discretization schemes will be discussed as well as techiques to search for contact in case of large deformations.