Efficient solution algorithms for thermomechanical contact problems based on a domain/boundary decomposition method

An efficient domain/boundary decomposition method is presented for fully coupled thermomechanical problems with contact boundaries. The whole domain is regarded as a union of subdomains, an interface, and contact interfaces. Penalized variational formulations are performed to connect the interface or contact interfaces with the neighboring subdomains that satisfy continuity constraints on the displacement and temperature fields. As a result, non-linear finite element computations due to the contact boundaries can be localized within a few subdomains or contact interfaces. Therefore, the computational efficiency can be enhanced considerably by devising suitable solution algorithms. A variety of numerical examples were tested to confirm the important features of the new algorithms presented.