3.2. Steps in a Contact Analysis

Following are basic steps for performing a typical surface-to-surface contact analysis:

  1. Create the model geometry and mesh

  2. Identify the contact pairs

  3. Designate contact and target surfaces

  4. Define the target surface

  5. Define the contact surface

  6. Set the element KEYOPTS and real constants

  7. Define/control the motion of the target surface (rigid-to-flexible only)

  8. Apply necessary boundary conditions

  9. Apply fluid-pressure-penetration loads

  10. Define solution options and load steps

  11. Solve the contact problem

  12. Review the results

Each contact-specific step also has a corresponding GUI approach where you use functions and features on the Contact Toolbar.