An efficient model for the frictional contact between two multiferroic bodies

This paper presents a semi-analytical model (SAM) for three-dimensional frictional magnetoelectroelastic (MEE) contact of two multiferroic bodies, together with a set of effective solution methods. The frequency response functions (FRFs) for the MEE fields in a multiferroic half-space are analytically derived with respect to a unit concentrated normal force, a unit concentrated tangential force, a unit electric charge, and/or a unit magnetic charge, which are then converted into the results of continuous Fourier transforms of the influence coefficients (ICs), followed by the discrete Fourier transforms with a proper aliasing treatment. The conjugate gradient method (CGM) is used to obtain the unknown distributed pressure. Furthermore, the discrete convolution-fast Fourier transform (DC-FFT) algorithm is implemented to calculate the in-plane electric/magnetic potentials and subsurface stresses. The model is implemented to analyze the frictional sliding contact between a half-space and a sphere, and to study the coupled effects of surface electric/magnetic charges and friction on contact behaviors, including pressure, stresses, and electric/magnetic potentials. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to evaluate the influences of friction and material properties on the contact-induced multifield coupling behaviors. A number of case studies are committed, and the results indicate that electric/magnetic charge densities and the friction coefficient strongly influence the contact pressure, stress, and electric potential.