The contact mechanics challenge: Problem definition

We present a contact mechanics problem, which we consider to be representative for contacts between nominally flat surfaces. The main ingredients of the mathematically fully defined contact problem are: Self-affine roughness, linear elasticity, the small-slope approximation, and short-range adhesion between the frictionless surfaces. Surface energies, elastic contact modulus and computer-generated surface topographies are provided at www.lms.uni-saarland.de/contact-mechanics-challenge. To minimize the undesirable but frequent problem of unit conversion errors, we provide some benchmark results, such as the relative contact area as a function of load $a_{\rm r}(L)$ between $0.1\%$ and $15\%$ relative contact. We call theorists and numericists alike to predict quantities that contain more information than $a_{\rm r}(L)$ and provide information on how to submit predictions. Examples for quantities of interest are the mean gap or contact stiffness as a function of load as well as distributions of contact patch size, interfacial stress, and interfacial separation at a reference load. Numerically accurate reference results will be disseminated in subsequent work including an evaluation of the submitted results.