Alteration of friction force of a harmonically excited elastomeric pillar

The friction force of a single elastomeric pillar on a smooth substrate is investigated under harmonic base excitation. Friction force variation is acquired for various excitation frequencies with a constant base acceleration where the pillar stays in stick regime. The peeling behavior of the pillar for different harmonic base displacements is discussed. The apparent work of adhesion is demonstrated via energy equilibrium at the contact interface. It was observed that a harmonic force may alter the interface adhesive nature, and the adhesion and friction coupling can be tuned via the excitation frequency. •Friction–adhesion coupling of a harmonically excited elastomeric pillar on a smooth surface is studied.•Variation of the friction force is gathered under diverse excitation frequencies.•Peeling behavior of the pillar is discussed under different base displacements.•Apparent work of adhesion is presented via an energy equilibrium.•The frictional adhesion mechanism can be tuned via lateral base excitation.