Slip-shakedown analysis of a system of circular beams in frictional contact

In automotive components, the cumulative microslip phenomenon is often observed for engine assemblies. This phenomenon results in an accumulation of the relative slips in a preferred tangential direction on the contact interface of two solids under cyclic loadings. A significant relative displacement may occur and leads to the assembly failure. In particular, a global rotation of the bearing shell may result from this mechanism of cumulated slips in conrod big end systems. To discuss this rotation problem, a model of two circular beams in frictional contact and submitted to a periodical rotating load is considered here. The aim is to give some simplified estimates of the critical rotation load based on a slip-shakedown analysis. The discussion holds for Tresca friction and can be extended to Coulomb friction under the assumption of small coupling. The static and kinematic slip-shakedown approaches are discussed. The obtained analytical results are shown to be in agreement with the finite element computations.