shell to shell ,,contact,,

[CarbonMike]

Im working on boom sections static and buckling simulation. Sections are shell models. In reality there are nylon plastic wearpads (also for sliding) which transfer loads from one section to another. They transfer only pressure of course. Im trying to simulate them using patern of points in contact area and with definion of spring elements between oposite points (one point on sec1 and second on sect2). I have problem how to correctly set ,,k,, (spring stiffness) to represent those nylon pads. Any ideas?

I also tried patern of beam elements with releases on one side.

Or is there any better way to simulate those pads?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Hobbles]

What's your problem with setting spring stiffness? Just unknown?

 

[CarbonMike]

I have no problem with it now, I calculated spring stiffeness. But I use beam elements now.