Abstract

Predictions of the macroscopic thermal contact resistance have been severely restricted because the macroscopic contact area between finite members could not be determined. A new method of solution to this contact problem in elasticity is developed which is applicable to a wide variety of geometries and boundary conditions. A physical lumped-parameter model is employed from which the finite difference equations in terms of displacement are derived. Calculations using this method indicate that large errors in the prediction of the thermal contact resistance can result if solutions for bodies of infinite extent are employed for finite regions of interest. Especially large errors may occur if the members are thin. The calculations indicate that the maximum deviation from flatness is insufficient for an accurate prediction of the macroscopic contact resistance. The form of the large scale surface geometry must also be considered. © 1971.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Comments

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Grant None

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0017-9310

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1971

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