Finite element analysis and multibody dynamics are popular mathematical modeling techniques for sev- eral mechanical applications. The finite element method is a costly method from a runtime standpoint. Moreover, both multibody dynamics and finite element methods require approximating the geometry of the application either by meshing or by analytical surfaces. Therefore, IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA) has been proposed as an alternate method for parameterizing geometric surfaces. IGA enables a uni- fied mathematical representation of both geometries and solution fields using B-Splines or NURBS. NURBS are the de-facto standard in modern Computer-Aided Design (CAD) workflows, but their use for analysis in finite elements is rare. By directly using the geometric information for the analysis, IGA reduces the cost of mesh generation, therefore enabling a more efficient design process.
The IGA-based rigid body contact algorithm offers several advantages over the traditional FEM- based approach. First, it provides an accurate representation of the geometry. This improves the efficiency of the design process and reduces the need for mesh refinement. Second, by looking for the local orthogonal projection in the parameter space rather than the coordinate space, the algorithm simplifies the definition of boundary conditions. This makes the process of defining boundary conditions easier and more intuitive. Third, the algorithm approximates the contact area by mapping it from the parameter space to the physical space. This allows for the specification of the level of accuracy of the contact area, which can permit more precise solutions.
The paper compares the IGA-based rigid body contact algorithm with the existing rigid FE mesh- based contact method in Simcenter Madymo. The results show that for the same level of accuracy, the IGA-based method can largely reduce execution time. This suggests that IGA could be a valuable alternative for use in the field of contact simulation.