A microslip friction model with normal load variation induced by normal motion

A two-dimensional microslip friction model with normal load variation induced by normal motion is presented in this paper. The model is a distributed parameter model, which characterizes the stick-slip-separation of the contact interface and determines the resulting friction force, including its time variance and spatial distribution, between two elastic structures. When the relative motion is simple harmonic motion, the stick-slip-separation transition angles associated with any point in the contact area can be analytically determined within a cycle of motion. In addition, if the relative motion is given, stick-slip-separation transition boundaries inside the contact area and their time variances can be determined. Along with an iterative multi-mode solution approach utilizing harmonic balance method (HBM), the developed model can be employed to determine the forced response of frictionally constrained structures. In the approach, the forced response is constructed in terms of the free mode shapes of the structure; consequently, it can be determined at any excitation frequency and for any type of normal load distribution. Two examples, a one-dimensional beam like damper and a more realistic blade to ground damper, are employed to illustrate the predictive abilities of the developed model. It is shown that while employing a single mode model, transition boundaries for the beam like damper agrees with the results given in the literature, the developed method identifies the phase difference along the slip to stick transition boundary when a multi-mode model is employed. Moreover, while partial slip is illustrated in the two examples, typical softening and hardening effects, due to separation of the contact surface, are also predicted for the blade to ground damper.