Study on contact algorithm of dynamic explicit FEM for sheet forming simulation

Based on existing algorithms, a newly developed contact search algorithm is proposed. The new algorithm consists of global search, local searching, local tracking and penetration calculation processes. It requires no iteration steps. It can deal with not only general tool surfaces with vertical walls, but also tool surfaces meshed with elements having very poor aspect ratios. It is demonstrated that the FE code employing this new contact search algorithm becomes more reliable, efficient and accurate for sheet metal forming simulation than conventional ones. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (59875025) and Excellent Young Teacher Foundation of the Educational Department of China Biography: Zhang Hai-ming (1974-), male, Ph. D. candidate, research direction: sheet metal forming simulation.