Development of a 2-Dimensional Elastic Contact Stress Analysis Procedure Using a Hybrid Method of FEM and BEM

Abstract

In this paper, the development of a 2-dimensional elastic contact stress analysis procedure using a hybrid method of FEM and BEM is described. FEM is valid for slender bodies and BEM is valid for massive bodies. Therefore, the hybrid method of FEM and BEM is useful to solve the contact problems of a magnetic disk drive, which is composed of thin films, substrates, and head sliders. In order to improve the accuracy of the analysis, the equilibrium condition of the BEM region is considered when the equivalent stiffness matrix is formed. Furthermore, the penalty function method is applied to relax the contact conditions. The results of example analysis of the contact problem between a magnetic disk and a slider show the validity and accuracy of this procedure.