Easy ABAQUS Contact Question

[Andewa]

I am a beginner in ABAQUS, and I am trying to model the deformed shape an element will take as it displaces into another element due to thermal strain.

I can successfully model the thermal strain, but one element passes through the other (screenshot attached) instead of contacting. I have set up an interaction between the two surfaces to be in contact, but that does not seem to work.

My question is about the steps. Right now, my 1st step is a "Coupled-Temp Displacement". Do I need another step before or after this one to model contact between two surfaces?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[PamCrash]

set deformation scale factor to 1.0 and plot again

 

[Andewa]

PamCrash,

Thank you sincerely for answering my question. The displacement was not enough to contact the other element. I have increased the thermal strain and now the elements contact each other properly. Thank you again for your help; the matter has been resolved.

-Andrew