Instability of Two Contacting Arches
Application ID: 73731
This conceptual example shows how to calculate critical points in models with contact. The model consists of two contacting arches modeled with the Shell interface. The contact problem is solved using the penalty method. The upper arch is loaded with displacement controlled edge loads and is pressed towards the lower arch. During loading, a snap-through behavior of the lower arch is observed with several critical point related to sideways instability. In order to obtain a stable reference solution, the sideways movement of the mid edge of both arches is constrained.
The model is based on a benchmark problem from the textbook “Computational Contact Mechanics” by P. Wriggers.
This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products:
however, additional products may be required to completely define and model it. Furthermore, this example may also be defined and modeled using components from the following product combinations:
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