Introduction

Abstract

Abstract Any mechanical load results from an interaction between two mechanical components (or two parts of a single component) which come into contact with each other. It is therefore not surprising that contact interactions exist in virtually all structural and mechanical systems. In engineering, contact interactions are usually intentional such that a structure, like a bridge, can sustain loads or that a mechanical system, like a forging press, can perform an assigned task. There are, however, situations where contact interactions are not intended, as in a vehicle crash. It is obvious that contact interactions may have a significant influence on the behaviour of the structure or the mechanical system. To increase efficiency in intentional contact interactions and to decrease adverse effects in non-intentional contact interactions, it is desirable to gain an insight into the process of the interactions.