advice for 2D contact

[martin99]

Hi everyone,

I’m after some advice on modelling 2D contact. Originally the 2D model was only intended for feasibility but has progressed to a point now where there might be some good results if I can model the load better. The joint I need to model is the contact of a circular part on a hemispherical part (a ball joint in 3D). The area of importance for the FEA is some distance away from the contact area and so originally left out the circular part(ball) and directly loaded a portion of the hemisphere approximatley where the contact would be.
I really need to model the contact now, how would be the best way. Are gap elements the only\best way (I have never used them). Do I need to model the clearance between the two parts accurately and then join with the gaps?

I'm a bit worried about any rotation between the parts, making it non-linear, but I'm only after a good representation of the load on the hemisphere.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. A reply like, ‘ don’t you know there is a 2D contact pair’ would be fantastic; just let me know where it is.

Many thanks in advance

Martin

 

[martin99]

Weird answering it yourself but here goes:

Went to bed with my advanced analysis training manuals from version 6 or 8 (such along time ago) and there was a good example of gap elements (what an exciting life i lead, bed with an ideas manual). Looking at the help today on release 9 and that was even better than the notes from the training course.

Think i have it sorted now.


cheers

Martin