Fractal contact analysis for transversely isotropic piezoelectric materials: Theoretical and numerical predictions

This paper aims to investigate the micro frictionless and non-adhesive rough contact for transversely isotropic piezoelectric materials. The surface topography is formulated by the two-variable Weierstrass–Mandelbrot fractal function. The system of contact is subjected to light generalized loads. By virtue of the Hertzian solution of transversely isotropic piezoelectric materials and the size distribution function, the generalized loads-area relation is developed. The smallest truncated contact area in the theoretical model is determined by comparing the theoretical and simulation results. The present numerical solutions via the finite element method are validated in comparison to the numerical results in literature. The influence of various fractal parameters on the contact behavior of transversely isotropic piezoelectric solids are studied.