Influence of the in-plan distribution of asperities on the normal contact of periodically rough surfaces

The present work aims to analyze the influence of the in-plan distribution of asperities on the contact between periodically rough surfaces. Square pattern and hexagonal pattern rigid surfaces are considered. Their contact with an elastic half-space is analyzed by numerical simulations. Three surfaces are generated with identical asperities periodically distributed in a plan according to different patterns. It follows from numerical results that when the load and the real contact area are small, the asperities act almost independently. However, the interaction between close asperities increases with the load becomes intensified and has a significant effect on the contact area when the situation is close to full contact.