A method to simulate contact between two boundaries of structures which are not aligned to predefined axes when using Comsol Multi-physics (v3.3, Comsol Ltd, Cambridge, UK) is presented. This method was developed because of limitations in the existing default contact modelling. Some of these limitations were recently addressed in a separate study; however, the method exploited symmetry across an axis of the coordinate system. The method presented here enables contact modelling with arbitrarily aligned structures within such a coordinate system. The contact method presented is then applied to a simple model with two deformable structures that come into contact, and compared over a range of positions. Results show a minimal variation in peak stress and contact pressure with model orientation, demonstrating that results are independent of orientation. Therefore, the contact method enables contact simulations in Comsol Multi-physics without assuming symmetry about an axis for contract. The method is compatible with the true transient contact method defined.

Nous proposons dans notre article, la confrontation entre un modèle de lubrification mixte et une étude expérimentale sur le comportement au frottement lubrifié d'une denture d'engrenage droit, effectuée sur un tribomètre pion disque. La configuration de la machine ainsi que les éprouvettes ont été adaptées pour l'étude du contact linéaire hertzien cylindre sur plan. Les travaux ont été menés sur quatre lubrifiants de différentes viscosités avec trois niveaux de pression. Les résultats montrent la convergence partielle ou totale entre le modèle et l'étude expérimentale.