Contact between discrete points

This problem contains basic test cases for one or more Abaqus elements and features.

This page discusses:

ProductsAbaqus/Standard

Elements tested

GAPUNI

GAPCYL

GAPSPHER

Problem description

Simple beam models are used to verify unidirectional, cylindrical, and spherical gap elements.

GAPUNI with positive gap clearance



GAP data: Initial clearance = 0.5.

X, Y, Z direction cosine of the closure direction = (0., −1., 0.).

Boundary conditions: node 1 is clamped, and node 10 is fixed in the x- and y-directions.

Loading case 1: Fy = −50 at node 4; Loading case 2: Fy = −100 at node 4.

GAPCYL with positive gap clearance



GAP data: Initial clearance = 0.0208 (positive gap clearance).

X, Y, Z direction cosine of the cylinder axis = (1., 0., 0.).

Boundary conditions: node 11 is clamped, node 121 is fixed in the x-, y- and z-directions.

Loading: Step 1: Fy = 2.0 × 104 at node 16; Step 2: Fz = 3.0 × 104 at node 16.

GAPCYL with negative gap clearance



GAP data: Initial clearance = −1.0 (negative gap clearance).

X, Y, Z direction cosine of the cylinder axis = (1., 0., 0.).

Boundary conditions: nodes 11 and 12 are clamped, uy = −5.0 at node 22.

GAPSPHER with positive gap clearance



GAP data: Initial clearance = 0.2080.

Boundary conditions: nodes 11 and 121 are clamped.

Loading case 1: Fy = 2.0 × 104 and Fz = 3.0 × 104 at node 21; Loading case 2: Fy = 4.0 × 104 and Fz = 6.0 × 104 at node 21. The NLGEOM parameter is used.

Results and discussion

The contact constraints are satisfied properly.