A nonlinear movmg contact algorithm has been implemented to model the sticking-sliding inelastic behavior in the interlocks of steel sheet pile sections subjected to axial tension. Previously, numerical instabilities were encountered during the solution process while conducting a series of verification problems for the algorithm by the Newton-Raphson method. In an attempt to identify the cause of these instabilities, an in-depth study of the effect of fineness of the finite element mesh on the convergence of the solution has been undertaken.

The solution process credited to Riks and Wempner has been used to find the postbuckling equilibrium path of shallow reticulated domes. This algorithm, with some modifications, is used to move from one load step to another step in this study.

As in most nonlinear problems, the size of the load step influences the rate of convergence. In addition, in the moving contact problem nodes can move along the sides of an element on the contact surface. Thus, the mesh refinement also affects the rate of convergence.

To study the effects of both of these parameters, a series of test problems was run with variable load steps and mesh refinements. The modified Riks-Wempner algorithm, which automatically adjusts the load step size as the solution process advances, successfully solved all the inelastic and large displacement problems attempted. From the mesh refinement studies two conclusions were reached: for curved boundaries use curved elements and avoid the use of irregularly shaped elements.

Finally, the improved solution algorithm is applied fo sheet pile interlocks loaded in axial tension. Results for progressively increasing load show the spread of yielding in the thumbs and fingers of the interlocks and the sliding of one past another as the deformations increase.