ELASTIC CONTACT OF ROUGH CYLINDERS

The contact problem between two parallel cylinders is studied. Due to the microscopic surface roughness, contact occurs only at isolated spots. The surface is represented by a mathematical model which envisions a surface covered with asperities having spherical tips. An approximate solution for the contact problem having surface roughness with a normal distribution is presented. Graphs for contact area, contact stress distribution and the number of contact spots are plotted for various physical parameters of the cylinders. The contact problem is a primary concern in studying subjects such as friction, adhesion, wear and electrical contact resistance. To illustrate the application in these fields, a numerical example, finding the contact area and the number of contact spots in order to calculate the contact resistance, is considered. Results so obtained are compared with those obtained by Hertzian theory for smooth surfaces. © 1969.