An elasto-plastic contact model for conformal contacts between cylinders

In this paper, we present a new model for the elasto-plastic conformal contact between cylinders. By using finite element simulation, it is observed that the transition of elasto-plastic contact in conformal case is different from the transition in Hertz contact. The plastic contact of conformal case can be physically represented by the plastic-Winkler model. The new model provides an explicit solution for the normal force–displacement relation of elasto-plastic conformal contact. Compared to other elastic contact models of conformal contact, the advantages of our model are: (1) it can be used for high load contact and (2) plasticity is taken into account by using the plastic-Winkler model. Our model, therefore, is capable of dealing with realistic engineering problem with high load and plasticity.