A full numerical solution for the elastic contact of three-dimensional real rough surfaces

A full numerical method for the dry frictionless elastic contact of three-dimensional real rough surfaces is presented. The partial flexibility matrix store method, successive under-relaxation iteration method and contact domain contraction method are used to obtain the full numerical solution in the whole nominal contact domain. The pressure distribution, surface deformation, real contact area and the distribution of real contact area can be obtained. The calculated results of two contact problems of three-dimensional real rough surfaces are given. The area-load relationship obtained by this numerical method is compared with that obtained by experiment in which the total reflection technique and the image process technique are adopted. The effects of the interaction of asperities on the contact parameters are examined.