Towards Static Contact Multiphysics of Rough Surfaces

Abstract

This paper is describing the current status of ongoing work on developing a comprehensive modeling and simulation infrastructure capable of addressing the multiphysics behavior aspects of rough surfaces in contact. The electrical and thermal response of bodies in contact under the influence of mechanical load electric currents and thermal fluxes, is a topic of interest for many application areas. We are presenting a multiscale theory leading to derivations of expressions of electric and thermal conductivities for the case of static contact. The associated model contains both an asperity based comprehensive model as well as its continuum level coupling. The mechanical pressure and the repulsion effect from electric current through the micro-contacts as well as temperature and strain rate dependence of the plastic behavior of the asperity are accounted for as well. This formalism enables the derivation of physical properties from surface topography and bulk material properties for the interface between two rough surfaces in contact. Numerical analysis results present the dependence of the derived properties from the surface characteristics applied external load and the electric current.

A Multiphysics Theory for the Static Contact of Deformable Conductors With Fractal Rough Surfaces

“…Due to space limitations, for the purpose of the present analysis, we will not address the evaluation of R ai and R ti and will rather refer the reader to [1]. We will only focus on the constriction resistance R ci of the asperity that is attributed to the convergence and divergence of current flow [27].…”

“…To accurately model the macroscale behavior without resolving the lower scales, we have developed a multifield and multiscale contact theory [1], [2]. This is achieved in the context of solving coupled partial differential equations (PDEs) problems that capture the multiphysics behavior of deformable bodies in contact enclosed by rough surfaces and exposed to mechanical, thermal, and electric excitation.…”

“…We have achieved the first of the short-term goals as described in [5]- [7] and have completed the development of a theory for achieving the second short-term goal [1], [2]. The most recent stage of the authors' continuing efforts for completing the multiphysics theory for rough surfaces in contact is represented in [2].…”

A multiphysics theory for the static contact of deformable conductors with fractal rough surfaces

“…We have achieved the first of the short term goals as described in [5]- [7], and have completed the development of a theory for achieving the second short term goal [1], [2]. The work described in [2] represents the most recent stage of our continuing efforts for completing the multiphysics theory for rough surfaces in contact and applies it to a realistic problem.…”

“…In the context of modeling and simulation of such systems for design and qualification purposes but also in order to address the issue of accounting for the behavior of the contact in the macro-scale without needing to resolve the lower scale behavior through numerical modeling, but still accounting for it, we have recently embarked into the development of a new multifield and multiscale contact theory [1], [2]. This is done in the context of solving coupled partial differential equations (PDEs) problems that capture the multiphysics behavior of deformable bodies in contact enclosed by rough surfaces and exposed to mechanical, thermal and electric excitation.…”