Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. An efficient 3D finite element implementation for frictionless elliptical contact analysis in layered rough surfaces
 
research article

An efficient 3D finite element implementation for frictionless elliptical contact analysis in layered rough surfaces

Maiztegui, Mattin
•
Larrañaga, Jon
•
Ulacia, Ibai
Show more
May 1, 2026
Tribology International

Layered rough elliptical contact analysis is relevant in the rolling element industry, but existing models often oversimplify multi-axial curvatures, roughness, and layered materials. This work presents a 3D finite element implementation for simulating frictionless rough contacts in coated bodies, generating pseudo-elliptical contact areas. The contact is simplified to a flat deformable body with equivalent material properties against a rigid rough surface of equivalent curvatures, lowering computational cost. An efficient contact resolution algorithm that resolves overlaps and avoids artificial adhesion is introduced. Results match analytical and BEM solutions, with an order of magnitude speedup over the penalty method. Elliptical contact analysis shows that roughness asperities increase surface contact stresses and that coatings can contain high stresses inside the stronger layer.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.triboint.2025.111602
Scopus ID

2-s2.0-105026122698

Author(s)
Maiztegui, Mattin

Mondragon Unibertsitatea

Larrañaga, Jon

Mondragon Unibertsitatea

Ulacia, Ibai

Mondragon Unibertsitatea

Molinari, Jean François  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Date Issued

2026-05-01

Published in
Tribology International
Volume

217

Article Number

111602

Subjects

Coating

•

FEM

•

Rolling element

•

Surface roughness

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LSMS  
Available on Infoscience
January 6, 2026
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/257556
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés