Unilateral dynamic contact of two beams

Dynamic unilateral contact between two beams is investigated. The contact is modeled with the Signorini or normal compliance conditions. The model is in the form of a variational inequality for which existence theorems are established. A numerical algorithm for the problem is obtained by using the method of lines, in which the problem is approximated by a system of ordinary differential equations. Simulation results when one of the beams is driven periodically are presented. The characteristics of vibrations transmission across the joint between the beams are numerically investigated.