3D line-to-line contact is represented by following the positions of lines on the contact surface, modeled by CONTA177 elements, relative to lines on the target surface, modeled by TARGE170 elements. Line-to-line contact in three dimensions is depicted in the figure below.
The CONTA177 element type:
Has two nodes or three nodes.
Is paired with a target surface defined by TARGE170 elements.
Uses the same real constant set as used for the surface-to-surface contact elements. See Real Constants for more information.
Supports 3D rigid-flexible and flexible-flexible contact.
Supports 3D beams and pipes with or without midside nodes.
Can be generated by the ESURF command, similar to the surface-to-surface contact elements.