Scale-sensitivity, fractal analysis and simulations

The scale-of-interaction is presented as a criterion for establishing functional correlations. It is also used in simulating interactions with rough surfaces. Fractal analysis by the patchwork method is discussed and is used as the basis for evaluating data acquisition systems. The patchwork method is also used as the basis for simulating interactions with the surface. The essence of the simulation is to understand macroscopic, apparently continuous, interactions as the sum of a large number of discrete interactions at some appropriately fine scale. The simulations shown here use topographic data acquired from engineering surfaces. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.