A numerical study of the mechanical behavior at contact between particles of dissimilar elastic–ideally plastic materials

In the present study contact between elastic–ideally plastic dissimilar spheres are investigated in detail. The investigation is based on numerical methods and in particular the finite element method. The numerical results presented are discussed with respect to correlation of global contact properties as well as the behavior of local field variables such as contact pressure distribution and the evolution of the effective plastic strain. Large deformation effects are accounted for and discussed in detail. The constitutive behavior is described by classical Mises plasticity. It is shown that correlation of the dissimilar contact problem can be accurately achieved based on the Johnson contact parameter with the representative stress chosen as the yield stress of the softer material.