A Mortar Finite Element Formulation for Large Deformation Lubricated Contact Problems with Smooth Transition Between Mixed, Elasto-Hydrodynamic and Full Hydrodynamic Lubrication

Abstract This work proposes a novel model and numerical formulation for lubricated contact problems describing the mutual interaction between two deformable 3D solid bodies an interposed fluid film. The are consistently described based on nonlinear continuum mechanics allowing finite deformations arbitrary constitutive laws. film is modelled as quasi-2D flow problem governed by (thickness-)averaged Reynolds equation. In contrast to existing approaches, proposed accounts co-existence of frictional tractions hydrodynamic at every local point surface interacting covers entire range lubrication in one unified modelling framework with smooth transition these different regimes. From physical view, this approach can be considered elastic deformation asperities surfaces. element method applied spatial discretization solid-mechanical 2D interface effects, consisting averaged equation governing non-penetration constraint mechanical problem. A consistent accurate behavior demonstrated studying several challenging benchmark test cases.