An adaptive finite element approach for frictionless contact problems

The derivation of an a posteriori error estimator for frictionless contact problems under the hypotheses of linear elastic behaviour and infinitesimal deformation is presented. The approximated solution of this problem is obt ained by using the finite element method. A penalization or augmented-Lagra ngian technique is used to deal with the unilateral boundary condition over the contact boundary. An a posteriori error estimator suitable for adaptiv e mesh refinement in this problem is proposed, together with its mathematic al justification. Up to the present time, this mathematical proof is restri cted to the penalization approach. Several numerical results are reported i n order to corroborate the applicability of this estimator and to compare i t with other a posteriori error estimators. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.