A finite element model for contact analysis of multiple Cosserat bodies

The objective of this paper is to develop a finite element model for multi-body contact analysis of Cosserat materials. Based on the parametric virtual work principle, a quadratic programming method is developed for finite element analysis of contact problems. The contact problem with friction between two Cosserat bodies is treated in the same way as in plastic analysis. The penalty factors, that are normally introduced into the algorithm for contact analysis, have a direct influence on accuracy of solution. There is no available rule for choosing a reasonable value of these factors for simulation of contact problems of Cosserat materials, and they are therefore cancelled through a special technique so that the numerical results can be of high accuracy. Compared with the conventional work on Cosserat elasticity, the newly developed model is on the contact analysis of the Cosserat materials and is seldom found in the existing literatures. Four examples are computed to illustrate the validity and importance of the model developed.