Some computational aspects for solving deep penetration problems in geomechanics

Penetration problems in geomechanics involve the insertion or intrusion of solid bodies into the ground. Such problems are extremely difficult to model numerically, because they usually involve severe mesh distortion caused by large deformation and frictional contact. In this paper, an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method is used to overcome the mesh distortion problem. Some specific issues associated with the ALE method, such as node relocation and remapping of contact history variables, are discussed. The ALE method, incorporated with an automatic load stepping scheme and a smooth contact discretisation technique, is then used to analyse the penetration of axial displacement piles into the ground.