LS-Dyna contact procedure analysis for selected mechanical systems

Finite Element Method is one of the most frequently used computational schemes in numerical analyses. A contact phenomenon is an essential issue when modelling the physical interaction between two or more bodies. Depending on the used software, the various contact algorithms are applied. In the paper, the authors present the results of evaluation of different contact methods implemented in LS-Dyna CAE software. The most common problem arising during contact modelling is the occurrence of penetration between the coupling elements, which leads to an increase of contact forces and, consequently, a local deformation of finite elements. In the introduction, a theoretical background related to mathematical aspects of contact modelling is presented, in particular search methods for contact surfaces and the penalty forces calculating method. Subsequently, a contact analysis for different variants of interaction of the elements is presented. In the first analysed case, shaft- sleeve interaction, in both rotation and translation, is presented. The variable factors in this case were a number of interacting finite elements and the type of a contact algorithm. The second case focused on the interaction forces resulting from the interaction between two sliding bodies in the harmonic motion. A sliding body was pressed against the plane using an increasing force. A variable factor in this case was the type of the implemented contact algorithm.