Effect of roughness scale on contact stiffness between solids

In this work we have used the Hölder exponent to characterise the scale of roughness and to study the scale effect of high spatial frequencies on elastic contact between solids. The mathematical approach shows that the Hölder exponent of roughness is a sophisticated tool for modelling realistic surface roughness at different scales of observation. The incidence of Hölder exponent on the prediction of pressure, bearing area and stiffness is studied in elastic contact between a smooth plane and rough surface.