RIDUZIONE DELL'ATTRITO DI STRUTTURE TIPO SETOLA IN SLITTAMENTO SU SUPERFICI RUGOSE RANDOMICHE

This study focuses on developing a model to investigate the dynamics of a bristle-like structure in sliding contact with a rigid wavy surface. Specifically, the aim is to investigate the interface behavior in terms of the macroscopic friction coefficient opposing the slab motion. Locally, we adopt Coulomb friction to model the interaction between the slab surface and the bristle tip, with a relative speed-dependent modulation. A rigorous mathematical formulation has been developed to describe the bristle dynamics, based on momentum balance. We considered a set of bristles (carpet) in transient contact conditions with the sliding slab, and we studied the forces acting on each bristle and on the sliding slab surface over a whole contact time. Results show that a reduction of the friction force opposing the slab motion is achievable, compared to the case of rigid interfaces.