I have been using Abaqus Explicit to model coupled thermal displacement of a rolling element bearing rotating up to 7500 rpm, running many hundreds of short and long duration (0.25 to 1 sec) studies, utilising a plethora of contact option combinations. There appears to be solver induced noise or significant vibration that degrades the results. I see there is an option to apply soft contact through a linear or table option. However, it appears that these options must start increasing contact stiffness increase once contact has already been made. In Abaqus Standard, it is possible to start increasing contact stiffness (clearance) before contact is made so a "soft landing" is effective, then increase contact stiffness significantly once overclosure commences. The exponential option isn't supported in Abaqus Explicit. Kinematic contact yields similar vibration issues. Has anyone been able to achieve a "soft landing" with Abaqus Explicit?