Contact problem for a thin elastic layer with variable thickness: Application to sensitivity analysis of articular contact mechanics

In the framework of the recently developed asymptotic models for tibio-femoral contact incorporating frictionless elliptical contact interaction between thin elastic, viscoelastic, or biphasic cartilage layers, we apply an asymptotic modeling approach for analytical evaluating the sensitivity of crucial parameters in joint contact mechanics due to small variations in the thicknesses of the contacting cartilage layers. The four term asymptotic expansion for the normal displacement at the contact surface is explicitly derived, which recovers the corresponding solution obtained previously for the 2D case in the compressible case. It was found that to minimize the influence of the cartilage thickness non-uniformity on the force–displacement relationship, the effective thicknesses of articular layers should be determined from a special optimization criterion.     

An effective asymptotic method in the axisymmetric frictionless contact problem for an elastic layer of finite thickness

A brief review of asymptotic methods to deal with frictionless unilateral contact problems for an elastic layer of finite thickness is presented. Under the assumption that the contact radius is small with respect to the layer thickness, an effective asymptotic method is suggested for solving the unilateral contact problem with a priori unknown contact radius. A specific feature of the method is that the construction of an asymptotic approximation is reduced to a linear algebraic system with respect to integral characteristics (polymoments) of the contact pressure. As an example, the sixth‐order asymptotic model has been written out. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Contact interaction between elastic cylinders with axis misalignment

The three-dimensional problem of frictionless contact between semi-infinite elastic cylinders with the axes misaligned at small angles is examined. An approximate solution yielding the simplest scheme possible for practical calculations is constructed as a result of investigation of the contact zone near the edge and a number of asymptotic simplifications. The results obtained from this scheme and possible restrictions placed on its applicability are analyzed in specific examples of a roller bearing with misaligned rings and gearing.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Prikladnaya Mekhanika, No. 19, pp. 32–39, 1988.     

Asymptotic arbitrage in large financial markets with friction

In the modern version of arbitrage pricing theory suggested by Kabanov and Kramkov the fundamental financially meaningful concept is an asymptotic arbitrage. The ??real world?? large market is represented by a sequence of ??models?? and, though each of them is arbitrage free, investors may obtain non-risky profits in the limit. Mathematically, absence of the asymptotic arbitrage is expressed as contiguity of envelopes of the sets of equivalent martingale measures and objective probabilities. The classical theory deals with frictionless markets. In the present paper we extend it to markets with transaction costs. Assuming that each model admits consistent price systems, we relate them with families of probability measures and consider their upper and lower envelopes. The main result concerns the necessary and sufficient conditions for absence of asymptotic arbitrage opportunities of the first and second kinds expressed in terms of contiguity. We provide also more specific conditions involving Hellinger processes and give applications to particular models of large financial markets.     

Éléments finis non conformes pour un problème de contact unilatéral avec frottement

In a previous study, we considered it nonconforming finite element method for a frictionless contact problem. The aim of this note is to establish the convergence of the method for a frictional contact problem between two deformable bodies.     

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF A CONTACT PROBLEM IN RATE-TYPE VISCOPLASTICITY

In this paper, we consider numerical approximations of a contact problem in rate-type viscoplasticity. The contact conditions are described in term of a subdifferential and include as special cases some classical frictionless boundary conditions. The contact problem consists of an evolution equation coupled with a time-dependent variational inequality. Error estimates for both spatially semi-discrete and fully discrete solutions are derived and some convergence results are shown. Under appropriate regularity assumptions on the exact solution, error estimates are obtained.     

History-dependent variational–hemivariational inequalities in contact mechanics

We consider an abstract class of variational–hemivariational inequalities which arise in the study of a large number of mathematical models of contact. The novelty consists in the structure of the inequalities which involve two history-dependent operators and two nondifferentiable functionals, a convex and a nonconvex one. For these inequalities we provide an existence and uniqueness result of the solution. The proof is based on arguments of surjectivity for pseudomonotone operators and fixed point. Then, we consider a viscoelastic problem in which the contact is frictionless and is modeled with a new boundary condition which describes both the instantaneous and the memory effects of the foundation. We prove that this problem leads to a history-dependent variational–hemivariational inequality in which the unknown is the displacement field. We apply our abstract result in order to prove the unique weak solvability of this viscoelastic contact problem.     

An Euler–Bernoulli Beam with Dynamic Frictionless Contact: Penalty Approximation and Existence

In this work, we consider the dynamic frictionless Euler–Bernoulli equation with the Signorini contact conditions along the length of a thin beam. The existence of solutions is proved based on the penalty method. Employing energy functional with the penalty method, we bound integral of contact forces over space and time. Hölder continuity of the fundamental solution plays an important role in the convergence theory.     

Analysis and control of stationary inclusions in contact mechanics

We start with a mathematical model which describes the frictionless contact of an elastic body with an obstacle and prove that it leads to a stationary inclusion for the strain field. Then, inspired by this contact model, we consider a general stationary inclusion in a real Hilbert space, governed by three parameters. We prove the unique solvability of the inclusion as well as the continuous dependence of its solution with respect to the parameters. We use these results in the study of an associated optimal control problem for which we prove existence and convergence results. The proofs are based on arguments of monotonicity, compactness, convex analysis and lower semicontinuity. Then, we apply these abstract results to the mathematical model of contact and provide the corresponding mechanical interpretations.     

Nonlinear statics of extensible elastic belt on two pulleys

The drive belt set on two pulleys is considered as a plane elastic rod. The nonlinear theory of rods with tension is used. The static frictionless contact problem for the rod is formulated. The derived boundary value problem for the nonlinear ordinary differential equations is solved by the finite difference method and by the shooting method by means of computer mathematics. The belt shape and the stresses are determined. The contact reaction and the contact area are obtained in the solution. A benchmark study of extensible and inextensible models is performed. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A mixed variational formulation for a class of contact problems in viscoelasticity

We consider a deformable body in frictionless unilateral contact with a moving rigid obstacle. The material is described by a viscoelastic law with short memory, and the contact is modeled by a Signorini condition with a time-dependent gap. The existence and uniqueness results for a weak formulation based on a Lagrange multipliers approach are provided. Furthermore, we discuss an efficient algorithm approximating the weak solution for the more general case of a two-body contact problem including friction. In order to illustrate the theory we present two numerical examples in 3D.     

Analysis of a dynamic viscoelastic unilateral contact problem with normal damped response

In this paper we deal with a viscoelastic unilateral contact problem with normal damped response. The process is assumed to be dynamic and frictionless. Normal damping function is modeled by the Clarke subdifferential of a nonconvex and nonsmooth function. First, the variational formulation of this problem is provided in the form of a nonlinear first order variational–hemivariational inequality for the velocity field. Then, based on the surjectivity results for pseudomonotone and maximal monotone operators, we obtain the unique solvability for a new class of abstract evolutionary variational-hemivariational inequalities. Finally, we apply our abstract results to prove the existence of a unique weak solution to the corresponding contact problem.     

Static and extending interface cracks with contact zones in anisotropic as well as in piezoelectric bimaterials

An interface crack with an electrically permeable and mechanically frictionless contact zone in a piezoelectric bimaterial under the action of a remote mixed mode mechanical loading as well as thermal and electrical fields is considered in the first part of this paper. By use of the matrix‐vector representations of thermal, mechanical and electrical fields via sectionally‐holomorphic functions the problems of linear relationships are formulated and solved exactly both for an electrically permeable and an electrically impermeable interface crack. For these cases the transcendental equations and clear analytical formulas are derived for the determination of the contact zone lengths and the associated fracture mechanical parameters. A plane strain problem for a crack with a frictionless contact zone at the leading crack tip extending stationary along an interface of two semi‐infinite anisotropic spaces with a subsonic speed under the action of various loading is considered in the second part of this paper. By introducing of a moving coordinate system connected with the crack tip and by using the formal similarity of static and propagating crack problems the combined Dirichlet‐Riemann boundary value problem is formulated and solved exactly for this case as well and a transcendental equation is obtained for the determination of the real contact zone length. It is found that the increase of the crack speed leads to an increase of the real contact zone length and the correspondent stress intensity factors which increase significantly for a quasi‐Rayleigh wave speed.     

On the contact interaction between a strip-shaped punch and a linearly-deformable base through a covering of variable thickness

The contact problem of the frictionless penetration of a punch with strip-shaped section into the surface of a linearly-deformable base protected by a thin elastic layer (covering) of variable thickness, the stiffness of which is comparable to or smaller than that of the supporting elastic body, is investigated. A Fredholm integral equation of the second kind is obtained for the unknown contact pressure with a coefficient in front of the leading term that is a fairly arbitrary function of the longitudinal coordinate. To solve it the Bubnov-Galerkin projection method is used in which the coordinate elements are chosen to be a system of orthogonal polynomials and delta-shaped functions [1, 2] (variational-difference method), together with an algorithm for the required asymptotic expansions [3] when the above-mentioned coefficient is small. In the special case of an elastic half-space protected by a covering of constant thickness, the results obtained are compared with the corresponding characteristics given in [4].     

A bending–stretching model in adhesive contact for elastic rods obtained by using asymptotic methods

This paper is devoted to the derivation and mathematical justification of models for the bending–stretching of an elastic rod in adhesive contact with a deformable foundation. The process is assumed to be quasistatic, and therefore the effects of inertia are neglected. Contact is modeled with normal compliance and the adhesion is modeled by introducing a surface internal variable, the bonding function, the evolution of which is described by an ordinary differential equation. To derive the models we consider the three-dimensional contact problem of an elastic body in adhesive contact with a foundation, introduce a change of variable together with the scaling of the unknowns and parameters of the problem, and we obtain a limit model under the assumption of suitable asymptotic expansions for the scaled unknowns. After that, we obtain error estimates and convergence results which legitimate the limit model. Finally we show that our limit model contains as particular cases models previously considered by other authors. To our knowledge it is for the first time that a rigorous justification and a generalization of those models is provided.     

Variational approach to contact problems in nonlinear elasticity

We use variational methods to study problems in nonlinear 3-dimensional elasticity where the deformation of the elastic body is restricted by a rigid obstacle. For an assigned variational problem we first verify the existence of constrained minimizers whereby we extend previous results. Then we rigorously derive the Euler-Lagrange equation as necessary condition for minimizers, which was possible before only under strong smoothness assumptions on the solution. The Lagrange multiplier corresponding to the obstacle constraint provides structural information about the nature of frictionless contact. In the case of contact with, e.g., a corner of the obstacle, we derive a qualitatively new contact condition taking into account the deformed shape of the elastic body. By our analysis it is shown here for the first time rigorously that energy minimizers really solve the mechanical contact problem. Received: 20 October 2000 / Accepted: 7 June 2001 / Published online: 5 September 2002     

Mixed finite element formulation for frictionless contact problems

Simple mixed finite element models and a computational procedure are presented for the solution of frictionless contact problems. The analytical formulation is based on a form of Reissner's large-rotation theory with the effects of transverse shear deformation included. The contact conditions are incorporated into the formulation by using a perturbed Lagrangian approach with the fundamental unknowns consisting of the internal forces (stress-resultants), the generalized displacements, and the Lagrange multipliers associated with the contact conditions. The elemental arrays are obtained by using a modified form of the two-field, Hellinger-Reissner mixed variational principle. The internal forces and the Lagrange multipliers are allowed to be discontinuous at interelement boundaries. The Newton-Raphson iterative scheme is used for the solution of the nonlinear algebraic equations, and for the determination of the contact region and the contact pressures.

Two numerical examples, axisymmetric deformations of a hemispherical shell and planar deformations of a circular ring, are presented. Both structures are pressed against a rigid plate. Detailed information about the response of both structures is presented. These examples demonstrate the high accuracy of the mixed models and the effectiveness of the computational procedure developed.     

Modeling and analysis of the unilateral contact of a piezoelectric body with a conductive support

We consider a mathematical model which describes the quasistatic process of contact between a piezoelectric body and an electrically conductive support, the so-called foundation. We model the material's behavior with a nonlinear electro-viscoelastic constitutive law; the contact is frictionless and is described with the Signorini condition and a regularized electrical conductivity condition. We derive a variational formulation for the problem and then we prove the existence of a unique weak solution to the model. The proof is based on arguments of nonlinear equations with multivalued maximal monotone operators and fixed point. Then we introduce a fully discrete scheme, based on the finite element method to approximate the spatial variable and the backward Euler scheme to discretize the time derivatives. We treat the unilateral contact conditions by using an augmented Lagrangian approach. We implement this scheme in a numerical code then we present numerical simulations in the study of two-dimensional test problems, together with various comments and interpretations.     

Reliability analysis of the metal forming process

In this paper, we propose a reliability–mechanical study combination for treating the metal forming process. This combination is based on the augmented Lagrangian method for solving the deterministic case and the response surface method. Our goal is the computation of the failure probability of the frictionless contact problem. Normally, contact problems in mechanics are particularly complex and have to be solved numerically. There are several numerical techniques available for computing the solution. However, some design parameters are uncertain and the deterministic solutions could be unacceptable. Thus, a mechanical contact study is an important subject for reliability analysis: the augmented Lagrangian method coupled with the first order reliability method, and we use the Monte Carlo method to obtain the founding results. The metal forming process is treated numerically to validate the new approach.     

A Perturbation Result for Dynamical Contact Problems

This paper is intended to be a first step towards the continuous dependence of dynamical contact problems on the initial data as well as the uniqueness of a solution. Moreover, it provides the basis for a proof of the convergence of popular time integration schemes as the Newmark method. We study a frictionless dynamical contact problem between both linearly elastic and viscoelastic bodies which is formulated via the Signorini contact conditions. For viscoelastic materials fulfilling the Kelvin-Voigt constitutive law, we find a characterization of the class of problems which satisfy a perturbation result in a non-trivial mix of norms in function space. This characterization is given in the form of a stability condition on the contact stresses at the contact boundaries. Furthermore, we present perturbation results for two well-established approximations of the classical Signorini condition: The Signorini condition formulated in velocities and the model of normal compliance, both satisfying even a sharper version of our stability condition.