Multi-scale Contact Approach Considering Material Heterogeneity and Wear

A multi-scale contact method that can deal with tribological problems in a broad context is proposed. It is based on a numerical homogenization technique which allows to take into account a heterogeneous material and the generation of wear under contact conditions. Globally and locally, a finite element method is used. More precisely, at the micro scale, a behavior is computed from the microstructure and then injected into the macro model through contact stiffnesses. The approach being completely integrated between the macro and micro scales, a relocalization of the contact forces on the microstructure allows wear generation at the scale of the heterogeneities. An example is given in this paper where with respect to a reference case, the proposed method proves to be faster and as consistent. Graphic Abstract