This open access book contains a structured collection of the complete solutions of all essential axisymmetric contact problems. Based on a systematic distinction regarding the type of contact, the ...regime of friction and the contact geometry, a multitude of technically relevant contact problems from mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and medical engineering are discussed. In addition to contact problems between isotropic elastic and viscoelastic media, contact problems between transversal-isotropic elastic materials and functionally graded materials are addressed, too. The optimization of the latter is a focus of current research especially in the fields of actuator technology and biomechanics. The book takes into account adhesive effects which allow access to contact-mechanical questions about micro- and nano-electromechanical systems. Solutions of the contact problems include both the relationships between the macroscopic force, displacement and contact length, as well as the stress and displacement fields at the surface and, if appropriate, within the half-space medium. Solutions are always obtained with the simplest available method - usually with the method of dimensionality reduction (MDR) or approaches which use the solution of the non-adhesive normal contact problem to solve the respective contact problem.
An efficient method is presented for solving axisymmetric, frictionless contact problems between a rigid punch and an elastically non-homogeneous, power-law graded half-space. Provided that the ...contact area is simply-connected profiles of arbitrary shape can be considered. Moreover, adhesion in the framework of the generalized JKR-theory can be taken into account. All results agree exactly with those given by three-dimensional contact theories. The method uses the fact that three-dimensional contact problems can be mapped to one-dimensional ones with a properly defined Winkler foundation; hence, the method is to be understood as an extension of the method of dimensionality reduction (MDR). A prerequisite of its applicability forms the generality of contact stiffness regardless of the geometry of the axisymmetric profile, which is proved. All the necessary mapping rules are derived and their ease of use explained by a recent example.
New technologies in additive manufacturing have enabled the cost-effective production of gradient materials with desired multifunctional properties. In mechanical engineering, such functionally ...graded materials (FGMs) are often used within mechanical joints, as they ensure higher strength as well as wear resistance and prevent fretting fatigue. However, due to the variations in their composition and structure, theoretical predictions of their contact-mechanical behavior are significantly complicated. In this work, a general theory for solving tangential contacts between 3D power-law graded elastic solids of arbitrary geometry is presented. For multiple contacts, such as those occurring between two nominally flat but rough half-spaces, the well-known Ciavarella-Jäger theorem is established accompanied by a discussion of tangential coupling. Nevertheless, the focus of the work is on axisymmetric single contacts under arbitrary unidirectional tangential loading, for which closed-form analytical solutions are derived based on the Mossakovskii-Jäger procedure. In comparison to the results of common approximate methods, the solutions include the non-axisymmetric components of tangential displacements, which are indispensable for the accurate determination of the relative slip components and thus the surface density of frictional energy dissipation in the partial slip regime. Although a simplified approach is used for the calculation of the dissipated energy density, the results in the limiting case of homogeneous material are in excellent agreement with those from a full numerical computation. As an application example, the complete solutions for the tangential contact of parabolically shaped power-law graded elastic solids in the partial slip regime are derived and the influence of the material gradient as well as Poisson's ratio on the surface density of dissipated energy is investigated.
The third-body particle-involved sliding contact between two rough rubbers with wavy surfaces is experimentally studied. The experiment is designed to isolate the direct contact between the first ...bodies so that friction resistance is induced completely by the interactions between the third-body particle and the surfaces of the rubbers. In dry contact of a single particle, it is found that the particle exhibits pure rolling during the sliding of the first bodies, and the macroscopic friction resistance for overcoming sliding does not depend on the particle size, but it is significantly influenced by the initial position of the surface waviness relative to the particle’s position. The behavior of the particle under lubricated conditions exhibited significant differences. Due to the low local friction at the interface, the particle rapidly glided down to the valley of the waviness during compression. This abrupt motion of the particle resulted in it coming to rest in a stable position, awaiting a substantial force to push it forward. The friction resistance in the case with lubrication was found to be independent of the initial position of the waviness, and its value consistently remained at the maximum found in dry contact. Therefore, lubrication actually increases the macroscopic friction resistance. An approximate solution for the specific case of dry contact is proposed to understand the friction behavior.
Background
Photoangiolytic lasers have broadened the surgical armamentarium for many phonosurgical interventions. However, the pulse dye laser and potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser have ...technical drawbacks and a smaller spectrum of indications.
Methods and results
The new 445 nm wavelength laser, the so-called ‘blue laser’, proves to show tissue effects comparable to the KTP laser and is also capable of treating subepithelial vessels due to its photoangiolytic properties, it can coagulate and carbonize at higher energy levels, and can be used via glass fibers in non-contact and contact mode for in-office procedures.
Discussion
In contrast to the KTP, the new 445 nm laser can also be used as a cutting laser, thus combining very much wanted properties of diode or CO2 lasers with photoangiolytic lasers. Further advantages of the new laser are the; (1) portability of the shoe box sized, shock-proof laser machine for in-office and operating room usage, (2) the selection of pulse rates from continuous wave (cw) to less than a millisecond, (3) stronger tissue effects compared to KTP with similar energy and pulse settings, (4) far better cutting properties than the KTP, and thus (5) more possibilities for usage in laryngology as well as in other fields or surgery.
Conclusion
We demonstrate the feasibility of the 445 nm laser in several laboratory experiments and show clinical cases where photoangiolysis and cutting was possible. However, this is a preliminary report and further systematic studies in greater numbers are warranted.
Due to the rapid development of additive manufacturing, a growing number of components in mechanical engineering are made of functionally graded materials. Compared to conventional materials, they ...exhibit improved properties in terms of strength, thermal, wear or corrosion resistance. However, because of the varying material properties, especially the type of in-depth grading of Young’s modulus, the solution of contact problems including the frequently encountered tangential fretting becomes significantly more difficult. The present work is intended to contribute to this context. The partial-slip contact of axisymmetric, power-law graded elastic solids under classical loading by a constant normal force and an oscillating tangential force is investigated both numerically and analytically. For this purpose, a fictitious equivalent contact model in the mathematical space of the Abel transform is used since it simplifies the solution procedure considerably without being an approximation. For different axisymmetric shaped solids and various elastic inhomogeneities (types of in-depth grading), the hysteresis loops are numerically generated and the corresponding dissipated frictional energies per cycle are determined. Moreover, a closed-form analytical solution for the dissipated energy is derived, which is applicable for a breadth class of axisymmetric shapes and elastic inhomogeneities. The famous solution of Mindlin et al. emerges as a special case.
Purpose
To develop a European White Paper document on oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) in head and neck cancer (HNC). There are wide variations in the management of OD associated with HNC across Europe.
...Methods
Experts in the management of specific aspects of OD in HNC across Europe were delegated by their professional medical and multidisciplinary societies to contribute to this document. Evidence is based on
s
ystematic reviews, consensus-based position statements, and expert opinion.
Results
Twenty-four sections on HNC-specific OD topics.
Conclusion
This European White Paper summarizes current best practice on management of OD in HNC, providing recommendations to support patients and health professionals. The body of literature and its level of evidence on diagnostics and treatment for OD in HNC remain poor. This is in the context of an expected increase in the prevalence of OD due to HNC in the near future. Contributing factors to increased prevalence include aging of our European population (including HNC patients) and an increase in human papillomavirus (HPV) related cancer, despite the introduction of HPV vaccination in various countries. We recommend timely implementation of OD screening in HNC patients while emphasizing the need for robust scientific research on the treatment of OD in HNC. Meanwhile, its management remains a challenge for European professional associations and policymakers.
Electrovibration is one of the key technologies in surface haptics. By inducing controlled electrostatic forces, the friction within a sliding contact between the human finger and a capacitive screen ...is modulated, which in turn gives effective tactile feedback to the user. Such powerful haptic displays can be built into mobile phones, tablets, navigation devices, games consoles and many other devices of consumer electronics. However, due to the layered structure and complex material of human skin, the underlying contact mechanical processes have not yet been fully understood. This work provides new continuum-based approaches to macroscopic modeling of the electro-adhesive frictional contact. A solution of pure normal contact between a human finger and a rigid, smooth plane under electroadhesion is derived by applying Shull's compliance method in the extended regime of large deformations. Based on these results and assuming pressure-controlled friction, a model for the sliding electro-adhesive contact is developed, which adequately predicts the friction force and coefficient of friction over the whole range of relevant voltages and applied normal forces. The experimentally observed area reduction caused by the tangential force is incorporated in a more empirical than profound contact mechanical way. This effect is studied with the help of a two-dimensional finite element model of the fingertip, assuming non-linear elastic material for the skin tissue. Although the simulations are restricted to non-adhesive tangential contacts, they show a significant reduction of the contact area, which is caused by large deformations of the non-linear elastic material around the distal phalanx. This result indicates that adhesion is only of secondary importance for the area reduction.
The complex physics behind electroadhesion-based tactile displays poses an enormous modeling challenge since not only the fingerpad structure with multiple non-linear layers, but also the roughness ...at the microscopic scale play a decisive role. To investigate tactile perception, a potential model should also offer the possibility to extract mechanical stimuli at the sites of the relevant mechanoreceptors. In this paper, we present a two-scale approach that involves a finite element model (FEM) at the macroscopic scale and a simple bearing area model (BAM) that accounts for the measured roughness on the papillary ridges. Both separate scales couple in an iterative way using the concept of an equivalent air gap. We show that the electroadhesion-induced changes in friction and contact area predicted by the proposed model are in qualitative agreement with recent experimental studies. In a simple example, we demonstrate that the model can readily be extended by a neural dynamics model to investigate the tactile perception of electroadhesion.