On a Simplified Model for Numerical Simulation of Wear during Rolling Contacts

We deal with rolling contact between quasi-identical bodies. As normal and tangential problems are uncoupled in that case, the simplified approach to determine contact area and normal loading distribution for rolling contact problems is presented in a first part. In the second part, the solution of the tangential problem is used to reactualised the rolling profiles and enables to follow the wear evolution versus time. The method used to solve the normal problem is called Semi Hertzian Approach with Diffusion (SHAD for short). It allows fast determination of the contact area for non Hertzian cases. The method is based on geometrical indentation of bodies in contact: The contact area is found with correct dimensions but affected by some irregularities coming from the curvature’s discontinuity that may arise during a wear process. Diffusion between the independent stripes smoothes the contact area and pressure distribution. The tangential problem is also solved on each stripe of the contact area using an extension of the simplified approach developed by Kalker and called Fastsim. At the end, this approach gives the dissipated power distribution in the contact during rolling and this power is related to wear by the Archard’s law. This enables to reactualise the profiles of the bodies in contact and to follow the geometrical evolution due to the wear phenomena.