Simulation of wear evolution using fictitious eigenstrains

A numerical algorithm is described in which changes of geometry caused by wear can be simulated by ascribing fictitious anisotropic eigenstrains to a set of surface nodes. These eigenstrains are related to the wear depth at any location, and can be incorporated into calculations using the existing expansion modules in commercial codes, such as anisotropic swelling or thermal expansion. The proposed algorithm has been implemented, and the results compared to those from a conventional wear model involving periodic re-meshing. It has been shown to be accurate and efficient. The method provides an alternative to the re-meshing technique, and may provide advantages in history-dependent problems such as those involving plasticity, hysteretic friction or micro-slip.