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Virginia Tech

Thermal analysis of sliding contact systems using the boundary element method

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A variation of the boundary element method is developed to determine the distribution of frictional heat and the ensuing surface or subsurface temperature rise caused by frictional heating between sliding solids. The theoretical model consists of two semi-infinite substrates each coated with a film of arbitrary thickness and thermal properties. A three dimensional transient analysis is developed which involves the thermal coupling of the two sliding solids at the true contact areas. The boundary element solution is based on a moving Green's function which naturally incorporates the combined conduction and convection effects due to sliding. Results are presented to display some of the important numerical characteristics of the boundary element solution method. Results are also presented that show the sensitivity of surface temperature rise to contact area evolvement, geometry and subdivision. The effects of surface film thickness and thermal properties on surface temperature rise are presented for a range of Peelet numbers. Lastly, a comparison of theoretical predictions and experimental measurements for surface temperature rise of a graphite epoxy ball loaded against a rotating sapphire disk is presented.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1991

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Golan, Lawrence P.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Vick, Brian L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Nelson, Douglas J.
  • Furey, Michael J.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-11242009-020117
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/45996

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Golan, Lawrence P.. Thermal analysis of sliding contact systems using the boundary element method. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/45996