A frictionless contact algorithm for deformable bodies

Abstract

This article is devoted to the presentation of a new contact algorithm for bodies undergoing finite deformations. We only address the kinematic aspect of the contact problem, that is the numerical treatment of the non-intersection constraint. In consequence, mechanical aspects like friction, adhesion or wear are not investigated and we restrict our analysis to the simplest frictionless case. On the other hand, our method allows us to treat contacts and self-contacts, thin or non-thin structures in a single setting. © EDP Sciences, SMAI, 2010.