Simulations of contact mechanics and wear of linearly reciprocating block-on-flat sliding test

Abstract: The use of computational methods in tribology can be a valuable approach to deal with engineering problems, ultimately saving time and resources. In this work, amodel problem and methodology is developed to deal with a common situation found in experiments in tribology, namely a linearly reciprocating block-on-flat drysliding contact. The modelling and simulation of such case would allow a better understanding of the contact pressure distribution, wear and geometry evolutionof the block as it wears out during a test. Initially, the introduction and motivation for this work is presented, followed by a presentation of relevant scientific topics related to this work. Wear modelling of published studies are reviewed next, along with studies available in the literature and the goals for this thesis.The fourth section refers to the methodology used and the built-up of the model problem. In this work the Finite Element Method and Archard’s wear model through COMSOL Multiphysics® and MATLAB® are used to study the proposed contact problem. The construction of the model problem is detailed and the procedure for wear, geometry update and long term predictions, is presented inspired by the literature reviewed. Finally, the results are presented and discussed; wear increment and new geometries evolution are presented in the figures, followed by pressure profile evolution at selected times. The final geometry is also compared for different time steps. At last, conclusions and recommendations for future work are stated.