The numerical treatment of local variables in three-dimensional frictionalcontact problems using the boundary element method

Details of the numerical treatment of localized frictional contact variable s are presented in a three-dimensional boundary element (BE) quadratic form ulation. Attention is focused on a generalized numerical scheme that can de al with any relative orientation of the contact element pairs, and the stic k-slip contact status. For contacting nodes, the equilibrium and compatibil ity conditions are exactly satisfied and the equations are directly coupled to form a reduced set of determinate simultaneous equations. A benchmark e xample for contact with friction is presented, with details of the normal a nd shear contact stresses, relative tangential displacements, and the stick -slip partitioning of the contact interface. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.