This study concerns the modification of a commercial finite element code (ABAQUS) to efficiently model webs moving over stationary, frictional guides. This modification will allow the user to refine the mesh in areas of interest (i.e. in the contact zone) while using a coarser mesh in other areas. The model was used to investigate web spreading using three different geometries - a straight bar, a bowed in-plane bar and a bowed out of plane bar (D-Bar). The effects of the Poisson ratio of the web and friction on web spreading will be investigated.