Stability of thin walled structures strongly coupled with contact

Stability problems strongly coupled with contact are examined using different contact algorithms. Applying the penalty formulation a high dependence of the buckling load on the penalty parameter is found. This observation becomes clear when considering a classical Euler case. Applying kinematical constraint conditions (close to a Lagrange scheme) for contact on the other hand more consistent results regarding the buckling load are obtained. Thus for a Nitsche scheme a better and more flexible solution is expected. The FE implementation of a Nitsche interface element is carried out. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)