Simple zero thickness kinematically consistent interface elements

Abstract Interface finite elements have been used in many geotechnical and engineering applications. Essentially, these elements must allow relative displacements between two bodies in contact, or separated by a thin material layer. Frequently, interface elements behave as linear elastic bodies up to a limiting stress state. This linear behavior of interfaces is very important, because it will establish when the slip and/or separation occurs, causing stress redistribution over the mesh. In this paper, the mechanical behavior of interface elements is discussed. It is shown that the kinematic inconsistency pointed by Kaliakin and Li [Comp. Geotech. 17 (1995) 225] for the element proposed by Goodman et al. [ASCE J. Soil Mech. Fdns. Div. 99 (1968) 637] also occurs for other interface models, and new interface elements for 2D and 3D analyses without kinematic inconsistencies are proposed.

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