Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Studying Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear Response of Soft Materials
Published on: April 25, 2019
Finite-element analysis of contact between elastic self-affine surfaces
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
Abstract:
Finite-element methods are used to study nonadhesive, frictionless contact between elastic solids with self-affine surfaces. We find that the total contact area rises linearly with the load at small loads. The mean pressure in the contact regions is independent of load and proportional to the root-mean-square slope of the surface. The constant of proportionality is nearly independent of the Poisson ratio and roughness exponent and lies between previous analytic predictions. The contact morphology is also analyzed. Connected contact regions have a fractal area and perimeter. The probability of finding a cluster of area a(c) drops as a(-tau )(c ) where tau increases with a decrease in roughness exponent. The distribution of pressures shows an exponential tail that is also found in many jammed systems. These results are contrasted to simpler models and experiments.
More Related Videos
08:58Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid
Published on: December 2, 2022
07:16Finite Element Analysis Model for Assessing Expansion Patterns from Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion
Published on: October 20, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
Deformations in a Symmetric Member in Bending
When the member is segmented into tiny cubic elements, it is observed that the primary stress...
Bending of Members Made of Several Materials
Hooke's Law determines stress in each material, stating that stress is proportional to strain but varies due to each material's...
Members Made of Elastoplastic Material
As the bending moment...
Bending of Curved Members - Strain Analysis
The important part of bending analysis for such a member is the...
Equation of the Elastic Curve
Consider a cantilever beam with a point load at its free end (for instance, a diving board). When analyzing beam deflection with small slopes, the shape of the beam's elastic curve becomes key. The governing equation for this analysis involves the bending moment and the beam's flexural rigidity,...