Algorithmic stabilization of FE analyses of 2D frictional contact problems with large slip Original Research Article

This paper is concerned with a regularization method to avoid slip oscillations of contact nodes resulting from lack of C1-continuity of low-order finite element discretizations. The purpose of this method is to enhance the robustness of contact algorithms for 2D contact analyses. Based on the actual finite element boundary, a virtual (smooth) boundary with C1-continuity is established to define the normal vector and, in case of frictional contact, also the tangential vector. The proposed regularization method allows using standard low-order elements. The respective algorithm including the consistent contact matrix is derived for frictionless as well as for frictional contact. Selected numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.