Equivalent characteristic model of a rough contact interface based on virtual material method

Abstract

The characteristic of rough contact interface has a major influence on overall performance of machines. To facilitate the setting of contact interface characteristics during the performance analysis of the whole machine, an equivalent characteristic model of a rough contact interface based on virtual material method is established. The normal and tangential properties of the rough contact interface per unit area are first experimentally conducted. Furthermore, according to the Greenwood-Williamson (GW) model and stress wave propagation conditions of discrete elements, the relationship between normal and tangential contact characteristics is explored by assuming the rough contact interface per unit area as a thin virtual layer. Based on virtual material method, the equivalent characteristic model of a rough contact interface is established, including equivalent virtual elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, thickness, and density. Finally, taking two step-shaped steel plates connected by four bolts for example, a numerical simulation of structural characteristics under different preloads is carried out. Numerical analysis results are then compared with tested results to verify the validity of the equivalent virtual material model of rough contact interface, and a good agreement between them is obtained.