Contact mechanics for gradient materials

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Hesch
• Subject Area: Mechanics
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 518667053

The overall goal of the proposed research project is to develop, analyze and implement a novel set of contact formulations for higher order gradient materials, paving the way for further applications in the simulation of complex materials. Therefore, the concept of Mortar type methods, recently extended to general higher order domain decomposition problems in the context of IGA, will be reformulated and applied to contact of second and third gradient materials. Moreover, we will demonstrate convergence and accuracy of the proposed methodology compared to classical approaches. This allows us to limit the applicability and emphasise the necessity in specific situations depending on the material pairing and the interface topology.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants