This paper presents a finite element approach for modeling a thermal-electrical-mechanical coupled-field contact comprised of an elastic hemisphere pressed against an elastic half-space. The goal of this investigation is to develop a fundamental understanding of the behavior of this multiphysics contact, with a particular interest on the contact area through which current flows. The results from the model illustrate a distinct difference in contact behavior between force control and displacement control in the presence of an applied electrical potential/current. It is shown that, while Hertz contact theory can be used to accurately predict the behavior of the contact under force control, a new relationship is established to accurately predict the behavior of the contact under displacement control.
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October 2012
Contact Mechanics
Modeling of a Thermal-Electrical-Mechanical Coupled Field Contact
R. P. Hennessy,
R. P. Hennessy
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Northeastern University
, Boston, MA 02115
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N. E. McGruer,
N. E. McGruer
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Northeastern University
, Boston, MA 02115
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G. G. Adams
G. G. Adams
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
e-mail: adams@coe.neu.edu
Northeastern University
, Boston, MA 02115
Search for other works by this author on:
R. P. Hennessy
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Northeastern University
, Boston, MA 02115
N. E. McGruer
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Northeastern University
, Boston, MA 02115
G. G. Adams
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Northeastern University
, Boston, MA 02115e-mail: adams@coe.neu.edu
J. Tribol. Oct 2012, 134(4): 041402 (8 pages)
Published Online: September 4, 2012
Article history
Received:
October 10, 2011
Revised:
July 10, 2012
Online:
September 4, 2012
Published:
September 4, 2012
Citation
Hennessy, R. P., McGruer, N. E., and Adams, G. G. (September 4, 2012). "Modeling of a Thermal-Electrical-Mechanical Coupled Field Contact." ASME. J. Tribol. October 2012; 134(4): 041402. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4007270
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