Computational Contact and Impact Mechanics

16This book comprehensively treats the formulation and finite element approximation of contact and impact problems in nonlinear mechanics. Intended for students, researchers and practitioners interested in numerical solid and structural analysis as well as engineers and scientists dealing with technologies in which tribological response must be characterized, the book includes an introductory but detailed overview of nonlinear finite element formulations before dealing with contact and impact specifically. Topics encompassed include continuum mechanics, mathematical structure, variational framework and finite element implementations associated with contact/impact interaction. Additionally, important and currently emerging research topics in computational contact mechanics are introduced, encompassing such topics as tribological complexity, conservative treatment of inelastic impact interaction and novel spatial discretization strategies.04Introduction.- Finite Element Formulations in Nonlinear Solid Mechanics.- The Kinematically Linear Contact Problem.- Continuum Mechanics of Large Deformation Contact.- Finite Element Implementation of Contact Interaction.- Tribological Complexity in Interface Constitutive Models.- Energy-Momentum Approaches to Impact Mechanics.- Emerging Paradigms for Contact Surface Discretization.