The mesoscopic particle approach

Within the classical dynamics of mechanical systems physical effects in boundary layers of contacting bodies are fundamental. Examples are impact motion or frictional contact. Usually the dynamics in boundary layers is given on other time and length scales than the dynamics of the system itself.This paper deals with a mesoscopic particle discretization of such contact zones or surfaces. These particles have hidden degrees of freedom from macroscopic point of view, which are separated only on a microscale. To be correct within the thermodynamic properties we have to use different time and length scale dynamics in these particle systems.In frictional contact this particle discretization can be used for detecting the heat generation and even wear properties. The research on frictional effects in boundary layers of contacting bodies was the root of developing the mesoscopic particle method.