Optimisation of Contact Parameters of Unidirectional FRP Composite Bearings

Abstract

The contact characteristics of unidirectional continuous fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite bearings are investigated based on Hwu and Fan's closed form analytical solution. The particular condition of a rigid parabolic cylinder in frictional sliding contact with the composite is evaluated. The influences of sliding direction, fiber material, matrix material, fiber volume fraction and fiber ply orientation on the surface contact pressure are determined and compared with published results. From the analytical results, several important trends for the contact behavior of FRP composite bearings are discussed. The contact parameters for unidirectional FRP composite bearings are optimized using genetic algorithm. The study shows that, in case of unidirectional FRP composite bearings, the highest maximum contact pressure is obtained in the normal direction and hence, the normal direction has the highest wear resistance. It is also observed that increasing the volume fraction of fibers increases the maximu...