Contact Stiffness Parameters for Finite Element Modeling of Contact

Abstract

Contact modeling could be widely used for different machine elements normal contact pressure calculations and wear simulations. However, classical contact models as for example Hertz contact models have many assumptions (contact bodies are elastic, the contact between bodies is ellipse-shaped, contact is frictionless and non-conforming). In conditions, when analytical calculations cannot be performed and experimental research is economically inexpedient, numerical methods have been applied for solving such engineering tasks. Contact stiffness parameters appear to be one of the most influential factors during finite element modeling of contact. Contact stiffness factors are usually selected according to finite element analysis software recommendations. More precise analysis of contact stiffness parameters is often required for finite element modeling of contact.