A SEGMENT-TO-SEGMENT CONTACT STRATEGY

In this paper, a method is proposed to define the geometrical contact constraints. Within this treatment one has the possibility to define l ocally the contact parameters for an accurate treatment of contact con straints. Local values of the geometrical variables can be determined at the integration points, hence the method permits to integrate conta ct constitutive laws along contact segments. The weak form for this ne w formulation is developed. Furthermore, also the consistent lineariza tion is carried out. Finally a technique is proposed to reduce the lar ge number of terms involved. In this case, an almost consistent tangen t stiffness is determined. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.