Contact problems with friction in machine design

Abstract To understand deformation when designing machine components subject to loading, their behavior may be analyzed with or without considering the friction phenomenon which is known to occur in interaction between components in contact. In some designs the analysis will prove that the affect of friction is negligible, while in others, if friction is disregarded, the solution for the design will be faulty. The analysis of two static contact problems, with due consideration given to the existing friction, is presented here. It is applied to two modes of frictional contact: the sticking contact and the sliding contact. An iterative algorithm, based on the finite element method, is developed and it is applied to checking the design of (a) a bolt-nut connection, representing a sticking friction; and (b) a leaf spring, representing a sliding friction.