This paper on "Benchmark Tests for Finite Element Modelling of Contact, Gapping and Sliding" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on The Evolution of Product Simulation From Established Methods to Virtual Testing & Prototyping - 24-28 April 2001, The Grand Hotel, Lake Como, Italy.

Abstract

This paper presents ten benchmark problems which have been developed to test capability of finite element (FE) packages to solve problems involving simulation of contact, gapping and sliding. These can also be used to educate users about numerical approaches to solve such problems. The contact, gapping and sliding problems are classified and their physical attributes are identified. The scope is restricted to quasi-static problems in which the behaviour local to the contact interface is of interest. The ten benchmark problems have been specifically selected to cover the range of identified attributes, numerical solution approaches and variety of geometric representations. A brief description of all the ten benchmark problems is given along with the reference or target solution.