A Three-Dimensional Friction Model for Elastic-Plastic Contact With Tangential Loading: Application to Dented Surfaces

A three-dimensional numerical model based on a semi-analytical method in the framework of small strains and small displacements with respect of Hertz’s hypotheses is presented for solving an elastic-plastic dented contact with friction. The calculation of surface deformations and pressure distribution, which is the most time consuming step during the elastic-plastic algorithm, is obtained using a method based on a variational principle with a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and a Conjugate Gradient Method (CGM). The method is fast enough to allow investigating the effect of a small size surface defect, here a debris denting, on the subsurface elastic-plastic stress state, requiring a fine mesh with around 10⁶ surface grid points. Further, the FFT approach is also involved in the calculation of internal stress state. The plasticity model is based on an incremental load and Von Mises yield criterion. The effects of the contact pressure distribution and residual strain on the geometry of the contacting surfaces yield from the Betti’s reciprocal theorem with initial strain. The code is used to compute a few smooth and dented contacts, with several types of contact interfaces conditions, including frictionless and Coulomb friction. The effects of surface dents and friction on the contact pressure and subsurface stress field are presented and discussed.