Contact Interface Types

The next step after the contact interface is generated, contact elements are properly discretized, and the contact implementation type is selected as per the requirements of the problem, is the selection of the Contact Interface Type. This depends on the behavior being simulated at the contact interface.

Tie Interface

A Tie Interface enforces zero relative motion at the interface between two components or parts. The Tie Interface can be activated using the TIE entry (with CONTPRM,TIE,MPC). For more information, refer to the Lagrange Multipliers (MPC-based) section.

Freeze Contact

Freeze Contact enforces zero relative motion on the contact surface, the contact gap opening remains fixed at the original value and the sliding distance is forced to be zero. Additionally, rotations at the slave node are matched to the rotations of the master patch. The FREEZE condition applies to all respective contact elements, regardless of whether they are open or closed. Freeze Contact can be activated using TYPE=FREEZE on the CONTACT, MU1=FREEZE on the PCONT entry or by using the Penalty-based Tied Contact. Penalty-based tied contact is activated by using the TIE entry for the contact interface (with CONTPRM,TIE,PENALTY, the default).

Sliding Contact

Sliding Contact has only normal contact stiffness at the contact interface and no frictional effects. It is only valid for small sliding without friction and applies to both open and closed contacts. If convergence difficulties arise, adding a small value of friction may help, or the STICK condition can be used. Sliding Contact can be activated using TYPE=SLIDE on the CONTACT entry.

Stick Contact

Stick contact is an enforced stick condition, wherein such contact interfaces will not enter the sliding phase. It only applies to contacts that are closed. In order to effectively enforce the stick condition, frictional offset may require to be turned off. Stick contact is activated using TYPE=STICK on the CONTACT entry or MU1=STICK on the PCONT entry. The contact stiffness value (KT) is equal to 0.1*STIFF in the case of Stick Contact.

Frictional Contact

For detailed information, refer to Friction.

Thermal Contact

For detailed information, refer to Thermal Contact Solver.

Fast Contact

For detailed information, refer to Fast Contact (SUPORT-based and N2S Contact-based).