Contact mechanics

Abstract

Contact mechanics is a fundamental field of tribology and generally refers to the interaction of solid surfaces. This interaction or contact can occur on many different scales, ranging from nanoscale asperities up to tires on roads and even contact between tectonic plates. This chapter reviews the basic technical information available in predicting the contact area, pressure, stresses, and forces that occur when surfaces interact. The chapter considers different geometries such as spheres and wavy surfaces and also outlines how to consider elastic and plastic deformation. The phenomena of creep and adhesion that are important for many tribological applications, and especially biological contacts, are also discussed. Finally, the chapter concludes by covering methods used to model the complicated situation of contact between rough surfaces that contain many different geometrical features.