FEA Simulation of Dynamic Contact Forces

[Ryan Keating]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to create an FEA simulation to stress/deformation of an elastic material under dynamic load. 

As a basic start, I have essentially created a rubber slab with brick elements and xyz nodes and have constrained it on to a ground plane. I think I see how to calculate strain by using the initial position of each node and the GetPos() function, but how about retrieving the stress tensor in an element?

As the next step to the simulation, I would like to be able to "drop" or "roll" a ball onto the rubber slab and visualize/extract the stress and strain over time. Any input on how to implement that (or alternative suggestions, etc.) greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Ryan