Continuum framework for finite element modelling of finite wear

A finite deformation contact problem with friction and wear is studied in which the shape changes due to wear are finite. Accordingly, in addition to the initial configuration and the current configuration, an intermediate time-dependent configuration is introduced that corresponds to the undeformed body of the shape changed due to wear. Two time scales are also introduced in order to distinguish the fast time of the actual deformation (contact) problem from the slow time of the wear process (shape evolution problem). Separation of these time scales allows us to partially decouple the deformation problem and the shape evolution problem. Shape parameterization is introduced and the corresponding shape update scheme is formulated as a minimization problem. In particular, a second-order scheme is developed which exploits shape sensitivities of the deformation problem. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the performance and accuracy of the proposed numerical schemes.