Elastic Rough Surface Contact and the Root Mean Square Slope of Measured Surfaces over Multiple Scales

This study investigates the predictions of real contact area for perfectly elastic rough surfaces using a boundary element method (BEM). Sample surface measurements were used in BEM to predict as function load. The normalized by root-mean-square (RMS) slope evaluate if would collapse onto one master curve. If so, this confirm that areas manufactured, measured are directly proportional root mean square and applied load, which is predicted fractal diffusion-based theory. data predicts complex response deviates from behavior. variation RMS spectrum system related features further evaluated illuminate why property seen some types not others.