Thermomechanical contact homogenization with random rough surfaces and microscopic contact resistance

We extend an earlier computational thermomechanical contact homogenization framework [Temizer İ, Wriggers P. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering 2010; 83:27–58] to random rough surfaces generated through the random-field model based on the concepts of ensemble averaging and sample enlargement towards the effective limit. Additionally, the homogenization theory is revisited in order to incorporate thermal dissipation at the microscopic contact interface within a thermodynamically consistent approach that preserves dissipation across the scales. Large-scale three-dimensional computations were performed to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the computational framework for an accurate characterization of the macroscopic thermomechanical response of rough surfaces in contact.

Research Highlights
► Thermomechanical contact homogenization approach preserves thermodynamical consistency.
► Large-scale three-dimensional computations demonstrate ensemble averaging and sample enlargement towards the effective limit.
► Accumulation of contact dissipation across the scales is modeled.