A three-dimensional thermomechanical model of contact between non-conforming rough surfaces

A necessary step in understanding failure problems of tribological elements is to investigate the contact performance of rough surfaces subjected to frictional heating. It is essential that the interfacial variables are obtained through solving the interactive thermomechanical contact problem. This paper studies the three dimensional thermomechanical contact of non-conforming rough surfaces, the model of which includes the normal surface displacements caused by the contact pressure, frictional shear, and frictional heating. Influence coefficients and frequency response functions for elastic and thermoelastic displacements, as well as those for temperature rises, are investigated for model construction. In order to develop an accurate and efficient solver, the numerical algorithms with the discrete convolution and fast Fourier transform techniques and the single-loop conjugated gradient method are used. The model modules are numerically verified and the thermomechanical performance of the rough surfaces in a point contact is studied.