Semi-smooth Newton methods for mixed FEM discretizations of higher-order for frictional, elasto-plastic two-body contact problems

In this article a semi-smooth Newton method for frictional two-body contact problems and a solution algorithm for the resulting sequence of linear systems are presented. It is based on a mixed variational formulation of the problem and a discretization by finite elements of higher-order. General friction laws depending on the normal stresses and elasto-plastic material behavior with linear isotropic hardening are considered. Numerical results show the efficiency of the presented algorithm.