A numerical model for contact between fractal rough surfaces

The phenomenon of contact between rough surfaces is critical for many applications of micro- and nano- tribology. This dissertation is concerned with the development of a robust three-dimensional finite-element model of contact between self-affine fractal surfaces. An explicit dynamic algorithm is used together with a master/slave contact algorithm under the Lagrangian framework. Finite deformation plasticity with hardening is used as the constitutive law. This numerical approach is demonstrated to be a useful extension of current analytical or semi-empirical models. The numerical results obtained are in agreement with experimental observations and provide physical insight.