adhesion force

[abaquslearner]

I need to model the adhesion force between the axisymmetric hemisphere only and the flat rigid for now before using the same technique on different structure. I’ve started reading on modeling it using the non-linear springs approach. What is the best way we can model the nonlinear springs between the two surfaces of contact? Is Abaqus CEA is enough or different way it should be used also like writing subroutine or using python
Can we use cohesive elements to model the adhesion force?
Deep thanks and best regards

[Jorgen]

I guess that you can define an arbitrary number of springs between the two surfaces and that way capture the adhesion. Another, perhaps more logical approach, is to use cohesive elements.

All of this can be achieved with CAE.

- Jorgen

[abaquslearner]

Thanks for your idea Dr. Bergstrom. I think the cohesive zone is more logical as you suggested but I wonder how it can be model. Should the space between the hemisphere and the flat rigid be filled with cohesive zone in the beginning? Or the cohesive elements should be layer with zero thickens bonded on the deformable hemisphere? And can we implement the Van der Waals forces representation formula on the cohesive zone? I thought cohesive elements only for debonding applications, my case is pushing the hemisphere against the rigid flat, are cohesive elements also applicable to study the loading and unloading cases? It will be great if it can be done by using CAE only. Your help is really appreciated, thanks.

[Jorgen]

I would put cohesive elements in the region where you have initial contact. The cohesive elements will then fail once a critical condition has been reached.

- Jorgen