Numerical and experimental investigation of a complete contact problem by comparing with an asymptotic analysis

Abstract

The stress and displacement fields of a complete contact problem are investigated using a finite element analysis (FEA) and a Moire experiment, respectively. Asymptotic analysis of an adhered contact condition is preceded for comparison. Aluminum and copper alloys are used as the contact materials, from which specimens of different contact angles are fabricated. The FEA scheme is validated through comparison with the displacement distributions that are measured in the Moire experiment. In turn, the generalized stress intensity factors are calculated using the validated FE models. These factors are used to evaluate the dimensional stress distributions in the asymptotic analysis, which are then compared with the FEA results. Excellent agreement in stress components is found between the asymptotic and FE methodologies. The relative error of the stress components sigma(rr) and sigma(theta theta) between the methodologies was less than 3.8% within the range from the contact edge to 1 mm, and it increased gradually as the distance from the contact edge increased. In addition, a slight discrepancy is found in the contact of an elastically dissimilar case.