Abaqus: Modeling Contact & Resolving Convergence Issues

Lesson 1: 
Introduction to Nonlinear FEA  

• Introduces convergence and problem nonlinearities as well as properties of both linear and nonlinear problems in mechanics, and numerical techniques for solving nonlinear problems.

Lesson 2: 
Contact Workflow

• Defining general contact. Defining contact pairs. Defining Surfaces. Workshop preliminaries and Workshop 1: Compression of a Rubber Seal.

Lesson 3: 
Nonlinear FEA with Abaqus/Standard   

• Covers nonlinear solution methods, an overview of Abaqus/Standard convergence criteria, automatic time integration, contact convergence, and Workshop 2: Bolted Flange Analysis. 

Lesson 4: 
Why Abaqus Fails to Converge   

• Covers the basic problem of convergence, understanding warning message, helping Abaqus find a converged solution, and Workshop 3 (Part 1): Crimp Forming Analysis.

Lesson 5: 
Surface based contact 

• Covers contact formulations, contact discretization, contact enforcement methods, relative sliding between bodies, and contact output.

Lesson 6: 
Solution of Unstable Problems 

• Covers unstable quasi-static problems, globally unstable problems, stabilization of local instabilities, symptoms of local instabilities, automated visous damping, implicit dynamics, examples of instabilities, stabilization of initial rigis body motion, Workshop 3 (Part 2): Crimp Forming Anaysis, and Workshop 4: Reinforced Plate Under Compressive Loads.

Lesson 7: 
Contact Properties 

• Covers the pressure-overclosure models, friction models, friction enforcement, and Workshop 5: Disc Forging Analysis.

Lesson 8: 
Convergence Problems: Element Behavior  

• Covers hourglassing in reduced-integration elements, checkerbording, ill-conditioning, and Workshop 6: Element Selection.

Lesson 9: 
Convergence Problems: Materials  

• Covers large strains and linear elasticity, unstable material behaviour, a plate with a hole example, unsymmetric material stiffness, a concrete slump test example, Workshop 7: Limit load Analysis, and Workshop 8: Ball Impact.

Lesson 10: 
Interference Fits

• Covers inititial overclosure, strain-free adjustments, as well as interference fit techniques for general contact and contact pairs with an example, precise specification of clearances, geometric smoothing for curved surfaces, and Workshop 9: Interference Fit Analysis.

Lesson 11: 
Convergence Problems: Constraints and Loading  

• Covers general remarks on these types of convergence problems, overconstraints that are detected during both model processing and analysis execution, controlling overconstraint checks, and nonconservative loads.

Lesson 12: 
Modeling Tips 

• Covers initial rigid body motion, overconstraint, contact with quadratic elements, unsymmetric matrices in finite-sliding problems, dynamic instabilities, modeling corners and edges, contact and convergence quidlines, Workshop 10: Snapi Fit Analysis, and Workshop 11: Analysis of a Radial Shaft Seal.