ABSTRACT
In many practical problems, the information required to develop a finite-element model, for example, the geometry of a member and the properties of its constituent materials, can be determined with little uncertainty or ambiguity. However, often the loads experienced by the member are not so clear. This is especially true if loads are transmitted to the member along an interface with a second member. This class of problems is called contact problems, and they are arguably the most common boundary conditions encountered in practical problems. The finite-element community has devoted, and continues to devote, a great deal of effort to this complex problem, leading to gap and interface elements for contact. Here, we introduce gap elements.
