A domain decomposition strategy for nonclassical frictional multi-contact problems

In this paper we present a numerical strategy to be solve large scale frict ional contact problems by domain decomposition methods which are adapted to parallel computers. The motivation is given by the study of the mechanical behavior of rolling shutters composed by many hinged slats. The numerical treatment of such nonclassical contact problems leads to very large strongl y nonlinear, nonsymmetric and ill-conditioned systems. Domain decomposition methods are a good alternative to overcome the difficulties of classical s equential solutions. We present a nonlinear strategy adapted to problems, c alled "multi-contact" problems. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.