A Nitsche finite element method for dynamic contact: 2. Stability of the schemes and numerical experiments

Abstract

In a previous paper [F. Chouly, P. Hild and Y. Renard, A Nitsche finite element method for dynamic contact. 1. Space semi-discretization and time-marching schemes. ESAIM: M2AN 49 (2015) 481-502.], we adapted Nitsche's method to the approximation of the linear elastodynamic unilateral contact problem. The space semi-discrete problem was analyzed and some schemes (θ-scheme, Newmark and a new hybrid scheme) were proposed and proved to be well-posed under appropriate CFL conditions. In the present paper we look at the stability properties of the above-mentioned schemes and we proceed to the corresponding numerical experiments. In particular we prove and illustrate numerically some interesting stability and (almost) energy conservation properties of Nitsche's semi-discretization combined to the new hybrid scheme.