Analysis and modeling of engineering surfaces and their interactions using fractal geometry

Jack G. Zhou, Denis Blackmore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Analysis and modeling of the micro-topography of engineering surfaces that are manufactured by turning, milling, grinding, electrical discharge machining, ion-nitriding coating, and other processes have many important applications. The topography of these surfaces can be rather effectively characterized by essentially two fractal parameters: fractal dimension and topothesy (also called scale factor). A fractal geometry model for isotropic surfaces is developed. Based on this model, a probability density function of surface height distribution is derived and applied in an experimental verification of the distribution and surface bearing area ratio characterization. It is found that the probability density function of surface height distribution is in the form of a slightly biased Gaussian function - namely, a normal distribution multiplied by a convergent power series - and the terms in the series depend in a fundamental way on the fractal parameters of the surface. This fractal model is then extended to anisotropic surfaces. The fractal model serves as a versatile tool for surface topography simulation that is illustrated using two methods. Fractal geometry is also used to develop a model for wear prediction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-173
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal of Smart Engineering System Design
Volume3
Issue number3
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Software

Keywords

  • Anisotropic surfaces
  • Fractal geometry
  • Isotropic surfaces
  • Probability density function
  • Surface height distribution
  • Surface modeling
  • Surface topography
  • Wear prediction

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