On the finite element solution of frictionless contact problems using an exact penalty approach

Abstract

In this article, an exact penalty method is introduced for the enforcement of the impenetrability constraint in problems of frictionless two-body contact solved by the finite element method. A complete algorithmic implementation is presented, including an automated scheme for the selection of the penalty parameter. Numerical examples are employed to assess the accuracy and robustness of the exact penalty method in comparison to classical penalty and Lagrange multiplier alternatives.