Models and simulations of dynamic frictional contact of a beam Original Research Article

We investigate a mathematical model for the dynamic thermomechanical behavior of a viscoelastic beam that is in frictional contact with a rigid moving surface. Friction is modeled by a version of Coulombʹs law with slip dependent coefficient of friction, taking into account the frictional heat generation. We prove the existence and uniqueness of the weak solution, describe an algorithm for the numerical solutions and present results of numerical simulations, including the frequency distribution of the noise generated by the stick/slip motion. We also show that when the surface moves too fast there are no steady solutions and therefore the system in thermally unstable.