Contacts in multibody systems

Research in contact mechanics is reviewed, mainly based on result determine d at the Institute B of Mechanics in the Technical University of Munich. In terest in such problems arise in the 1960s in relation to statics and elast omechanics. Most of the mathematical tools were developed and used in those fields. As a result of increasing pressure from the practical side concern ing vibrations and noise related to contract processes, methods of multibod y dynamics with unilateral constraints have been elaborated. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.