Contact modeling in boundary element analysis including the simulation of thermomechanical wear

Computational mechanics codes include contact or over-closure models to account for contact stiffness, which can be related to surface roughness and nominal pressure from Greenwood and Williamson. We present results of wear simulation studies with adjustable contact parameters for a ring-on-ring sliding configuration. A boundary element code is used to solve the non-linear contact problem with an axisymmetric thermoelastic representation of the rings, along with a localized Archard wear model. Parametric studies indicate the extent to which the wear tracks can be affected by the roughness and wear history. The effects range from minor to moderately significant, with areas of maximum wear shifting radially. Contact parameters influence pressure, temperature and wear distributions, with stiffer contacts resulting in greater localization.