Elastic Finite Element Analysis of Multi-Asperity Contacts

The plane-strain contact problem of an elastic half-space indented by a nominally flat rigid surface having a finite number of regularly spaced cylindrical asperities is investigated using the finite element method to gain an understanding of the interactions in multi-asperity contacts. The significance of the number and spacing of asperities on the contact behavior at the center and edges of the interfacial region is examined