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Abstract
A robust contact theory can be regarded as key to three dimensional discontinuous deformation analyses (3D-DDA). Not only must this theory provide an efficient algorithm to judge the type and location of contacts but also it must be able to present comprehensive formulations for every kind of contact (open, sliding and locked contact). There are six types of contact in three dimensional discontinuous deformation analyses (vertex-to-vertex, vertex-to-edge, vertex-to-face, edge-to-edge, edge-to-face and face-to-face) that can be converted to vertex-to-face and edge-to-edge contacts. This paper presents a new model of edge-to-edge contact to three dimensional discontinuous deformation analyses (3D-DDA). This new model considers both kinds of edge-to-edge contact (cross-over and parallel edge-to-edge contact) and presents a criterion for inter-penetration. Sub matrices of normal and shear spring and friction force are derived by geometrical analysis and penalty method. This new model is implemented in a 3D-DDA computer programme, and the example results demonstrate the validity of the model.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.