Topics of this book span the range from spatial and temporal discretization techniques for contact and impact problems with small and finite deformations over investigations on the reliability of micromechanical contact models over emerging techniques for rolling contact mechanics to homogenization methods and multi-scale approaches in contact problems.

Many physical systems require the description of mechanical interaction across interfaces if they are to be successfully analyzed. Examples in the engineered world range from the design of prosthetics in biomedical engi neering (e. g. , hip replacements); to characterization of the response and durability of head/disk interfaces in computer magnetic storage devices; to development of pneumatic tires with better handling characteristics and increased longevity in automotive engineering; to description of the adhe sion and/or relative slip between concrete and reinforcing steel in structural engineering. Such mechanical interactions, often called contact/impact in teractions, usually necessitate at minimum the determination of areas over which compressive pressures must act to prevent interpenetration of the mechanical entities involved. Depending on the application, frictional be havior, transient interaction of interfaces with their surroundings (e. g. , in termittent stick/slip), thermo-mechanical coupling, interaction with an in tervening lubricant and/or fluid layer, and damage of the interface (i. e. , wear) may also be featured. When taken together (or even separately!), these features have the effect of making the equations of mechanical evolu tion not only highly nonlinear, but highly nonsmooth as well. While many modern engineering simulation packages possess impressive capabilities in the general area of nonlinear mechanics, it can be contended that methodologies typically utilized for contact interactions are relatively immature in comparison to other components of a nonlinear finite element package, such as large deformation kinematics, inelastic material modeling, nonlinear equation solving, or linear solver technology.

Computational contact mechanics is a broad topic which brings together algorithmic, geometrical, optimization and numerical aspects for a robust, fast and accurate treatment of contact problems. This book covers all the basic ingredients of contact and computational contact mechanics: from efficient contact detection algorithms and classical optimization methods to new developments in contact kinematics and resolution schemes for both sequential and parallel computer architectures. The book is self-contained and intended for people working on the implementation and improvement of contact algorithms in a finite element software. Using a new tensor algebra, the authors introduce some original notions in contact kinematics and extend the classical formulation of contact elements. Some classical and new resolution methods for contact problems and associated ready-to-implement expressions are provided. Contents: 1. Introduction to Computational Contact. 2. Geometry in Contact Mechanics. 3. Contact Detection. 4. Formulation of Contact Problems. 5. Numerical Procedures. 6. Numerical Examples. About the Authors Vladislav A. Yastrebov is a postdoctoral-fellow in Computational Solid Mechanics at MINES ParisTech in France. His work in computational contact mechanics was recognized by the CSMA award and by the Prix Paul Caseau of the French Academy of Technology and Electricité de France.

Introduction to Computational Contact Mechanics: A Geometrical Approach covers the fundamentals of computational contact mechanics and focuses on its practical implementation. Part one of this textbook focuses on the underlying theory and covers essential information about differential geometry and mathematical methods which are necessary to build the computational algorithm independently from other courses in mechanics. The geometrically exact theory for the computational contact mechanics is described in step-by-step manner, using examples of strict derivation from a mathematical point of view. The final goal of the theory is to construct in the independent approximation form /so-called covariant form, including application to high-order and isogeometric finite elements. The second part of a book is a practical guide for programming of contact elements and is written in such a way that makes it easy for a programmer to implement using any programming language. All programming examples are accompanied by a set of verification examples allowing the user to learn the research verification technique, essential for the computational contact analysis. Key features: Covers the fundamentals of computational contact mechanics Covers practical programming, verification and analysis of contact problems Presents the geometrically exact theory for computational contact mechanics Describes algorithms used in well-known finite element software packages Describes modeling of forces as an inverse contact algorithm Includes practical exercises Contains unique verification examples such as the generalized Euler formula for a rope on a surface, and the impact problem and verification of thå percussion center Accompanied by a website hosting software Introduction to Computational Contact Mechanics: A Geometrical Approach is an ideal textbook for graduates and senior undergraduates, and is also a useful reference for researchers and practitioners working in computational mechanics.

This book contains a systematical analysis of geometrical situations leading to contact pairs -- point-to-surface, surface-to-surface, point-to-curve, curve-to-curve and curve-to-surface. Each contact pair is inherited with a special coordinate system based on its geometrical properties such as a Gaussian surface coordinate system or a Serret-Frenet curve coordinate system. The formulation in a covariant form allows in a straightforward fashion to consider various constitutive relations for a certain pair such as anisotropy for both frictional and structural parts. Then standard methods well known in computational contact mechanics such as penalty, Lagrange multiplier methods, combination of both and others are formulated in these coordinate systems. Such formulations require then the powerful apparatus of differential geometry of surfaces and curves as well as of convex analysis. The final goals of such transformations are then ready-for-implementation numerical algorithms within the finite element method including any arbitrary discretization techniques such as high order and isogeometric finite elements, which are most convenient for the considered geometrical situation. The book proposes a consistent study of geometry and kinematics, variational formulations, constitutive relations for surfaces and discretization techniques for all considered geometrical pairs and contains the associated numerical analysis as well as some new analytical results in contact mechanics.

This open access book contains a structured collection of the complete solutions of all essential axisymmetric contact problems. Based on a systematic distinction regarding the type of contact, the regime of friction and the contact geometry, a multitude of technically relevant contact problems from mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and medical engineering are discussed. In addition to contact problems between isotropic elastic and viscoelastic media, contact problems between transversal-isotropic elastic materials and functionally graded materials are addressed, too. The optimization of the latter is a focus of current research especially in the fields of actuator technology and biomechanics. The book takes into account adhesive effects which allow access to contact-mechanical questions about micro- and nano-electromechanical systems. Solutions of the contact problems include both the relationships between the macroscopic force, displacement and contact length, as well as the stress and displacement fields at the surface and, if appropriate, within the half-space medium. Solutions are always obtained with the simplest available method - usually with the method of dimensionality reduction (MDR) or approaches which use the solution of the non-adhesive normal contact problem to solve the respective contact problem.

The subject of computational plasticity encapsulates the numerical methods used for the finite element simulation of the behaviour of a wide range of engineering materials considered to be plastic – i.e. those that undergo a permanent change of shape in response to an applied force. Computational Methods for Plasticity: Theory and Applications describes the theory of the associated numerical methods for the simulation of a wide range of plastic engineering materials; from the simplest infinitesimal plasticity theory to more complex damage mechanics and finite strain crystal plasticity models. It is split into three parts - basic concepts, small strains and large strains. Beginning with elementary theory and progressing to advanced, complex theory and computer implementation, it is suitable for use at both introductory and advanced levels. The book: Offers a self-contained text that allows the reader to learn computational plasticity theory and its implementation from one volume. Includes many numerical examples that illustrate the application of the methodologies described. Provides introductory material on related disciplines and procedures such as tensor analysis, continuum mechanics and finite elements for non-linear solid mechanics. Is accompanied by purpose-developed finite element software that illustrates many of the techniques discussed in the text, downloadable from the book’s companion website. This comprehensive text will appeal to postgraduate and graduate students of civil, mechanical, aerospace and materials engineering as well as applied mathematics and courses with computational mechanics components. It will also be of interest to research engineers, scientists and software developers working in the field of computational solid mechanics.