Experimental validation of FEM for frictional contacts

Abstract

Experimental validation of FEM is required to assure accurate results and to be able to update FE models, such that their simulation can be trusted and used in design. Here, the correlation between experimental results, coming from a flat on flat frictional contact on a tribometer, with its simulation in Ansys Workbench is discussed and validated. The validation is performed for two commonly used materials, viz. PVC and Al, and the normal load and displacement dependency of the frictional behaviour is also taken into account. It is shown that, by using appropriate inputs and an optimised representation of the non-linear frictional behaviour, an accurate frictional contact simulation is obtained.