Numerical studies of the stability of steady-state solutions to a contact problem in coupled thermoelasticity

AbstractA finite element approximation is used to study the stability of steady-state solutions and the erratic behavior that is present in a problem of heat conduction through an elastic rod that may come into contact with a rigid wall. The quasi-static fully coupled theory of linear thermoelasticity is assumed and a heat exchange coefficient that depends on the pressure and the gap size is imposed across the region of contact