FFS contact searching algorithm for dynamic finite element analysis

A new contact searching algorithm for general contact systems is proposed i n this paper. Due to that the smooth and accurate geometry description is c rucial to the contact stress analysis, we have worked out a free-formed-sur face (FFS) algorithm specialized to model the contacting surface with the C -1 boundary continuity and the exact boundary condition definition. Moreove r, the geometrical description using the FFS produces those data required f or determining the actual contact direction and calculating the exact conta ct penetration. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that our contact s earching algorithm is robust and capable to simulate three-dimensional cont act problems accurately. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.