A penalty-finite element approximation to a Signorini two-body contact problem in thermoelasticity

In this work, a numerical approximation by the finite element method of a quasi-static, frictionless, unilateral contact problem between two thermoelastic bodies, in two dimensions, is considered. The approximation scheme is based on a penalty formulation used to replace the Signorini contact condition. Convergence results and error bounds are obtained and some numerical experiments presented.