A finite element model for 3D frictional contact analysis of Cosserat materials

The formulation and numerical framework for 3D frictional contact analysis of Cosserat materials have been constructed. Based on the parametric variational principle and the corresponding quadratic programming method for numerical simulation of frictional contact problems, a finite element model is developed for 3D frictional contact analysis of Cosserat materials. The contact conditions are expressed in the form of a non-associated plastic flow problem, and the penalty factors introduced into the algorithm for contact problem are eliminated by using a definite numerical technique. The calculations of numerical examples show the feasibility and importance of the proposed algorithm. The developed contact model provides a fundamental understanding of contact problems of structures with materials which have micro-polar characteristics.

► 3D frictional contact problems of Cosserat materials are studied.
► Parametric variational principle and numerical algorithm are developed.
► Effects of material parameters on the mechanical behaviors are discussed.