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Contacts between different meshed components in a finite element model frequently present modeling challenges. Tracking the progress of contact and separation is computationally expensive and may result in non-convergence of the model. In many contact problems of practical interest, such as bolted assemblies or in a shaft bearing where the shaft is constrained against rotation, it is clear that the components are in essentially constant contact and relative motion between them is negligible. In these cases, we can reduce the computational burden by defining an interface between the bodies using modeling devices other than the surface element contact commands. Some approaches in common use, such as tying the meshed surfaces together, or applying fixed boundary condition constraints in various directions, while they resolve convergence issue, can result in non-physical stress distributions and unconservative results in some cases.