Mechanical energy dissipation due to the propagation of elastic waves during the lateral impact of elastic cylinders

The lateral impact between elastic cylinders is studied using two dynamic models. We propose an elementary example to justify the mechanical energy dissipation in a pure elastic contact and to define the parameters needed for its quantification. A finite element model is presented as the theoretical basis for the quantification of the mechanical energy dissipation produced by the propagation of elastic waves in continuous deformable impacting cylinders. The results are exploited to build an accurate and more numerically efficient dynamic lumped parameter model. The models are applied to the lateral impact of identical cylinders with various diameters and different impact speeds. The impact of the cylinders with a different mass and radius is also analyzed. The calculation of the coefficient of dissipation enables the global loss of mechanical energy to be quantified, and an equivalent damping ratio associated with the impact is calculated. The obtained damping values can be used as a reasonable underestimate of the dissipation produced in the engagement of spur gears, thus allowing a conservative prediction of the dynamic overloads of the system in resonant conditions.