Multiscale contact mechanics for elastoplastic contacts

TL;DR

This paper tests Persson's multiscale contact mechanics theory for elastoplastic rough surfaces using boundary element simulations, confirming its accuracy and the boundary conditions it assumes for systems with constant hardness.

Contribution

It provides numerical validation of Persson's theory for elastoplastic contact mechanics, supporting its assumptions and extending its applicability.

Findings

Quantitative agreement between theory and simulations for contact area

Validation of boundary conditions for stress probability

Support for theory's applicability to elastoplastic systems

Abstract

Understanding contact between rough surfaces undergoing plastic deformation is crucial in many applications. We test Persson's multiscale contact mechanics theory for elastoplastic solids, assuming a constant penetration hardness. Using a numerical model based on the boundary element method, we simulate the contact between a flat rigid surface and an elastic-perfectly plastic half-space with a randomly rough surface. The theory's predictions for elastic, plastic, and total contact area agree quantitatively with the numerical results. The simulations also support the boundary conditions assumed in the theory, namely that the stress probability vanishes at both zero and yield stress. These findings reinforce the validity of the theory for systems with constant hardness.