Pre-processing for contact analysis

I want to model an o-ring in between two plates.

How do I set up the meshing of the three parts to do this in Code_Aster?

Can Code_Aster cope with contact between three components?

Hi,

Code-aster & Salome can solve this problem, but as in other codes, you will probably need to stabilize the free body (o-ring here) to avoid rigid body motion. If your problem can be considered axisymmetric, I would much recommend to use a 2d axisymm. finite element model instead of a full 3D model (contact in 3D is REALLY time consumming is you need a good accuracy).

To start with this problem, try to explore the \"Contact\" example available here: www.caelinux.com/CMS/index.php?option=co...;id=25&Itemid=40

You will see that you will need to :
1)in Salome: create a compound of volumes (and not a boolean union: you need to have duplicate contact faces!!)
2) mesh the compound and create groups of faces (in 3D) or edges (in 2D) to define the contact pairs
3) in Code-Aster: define the contact pairs & interaction with the command AFFE_CHAR_MECA->CONTACT
4) use the non-linear solver STAT_NON_LINE to solve the problem.

To stabilize your problem, I would recommend that youi load your system with imposed displacements and not with pressures/loads. To stabilize the free body, you can for example extend your o-ring with a small extrusion to create an artificial body. You can then assign very soft material properties to this body and clamp its free-edges.

Good luck

Many thanks, I will try it out.