This study considers an analysis of the elastic–plastic contact of rough surfaces in the presence of adhesion using an n-point asperity model. The multiple-point asperity model, developed by Hariri et al (2006 Trans ASME: J. Tribol. 128 505–14) is integrated into the elastic–plastic adhesive contact model developed by Roy Chowdhury and Ghosh (1994 Wear 174 9–19). This n-point asperity model differs from the conventional Greenwood and Williamson model (1966 Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 295 300–19) in considering the asperities not as fixed entities but as those that change through the contact process, and hence it represents the asperities in a more realistic manner. The newly defined adhesion index and plasticity index defined for the n-point asperity model are used to consider the different conditions that arise because of varying load, surface and material parameters. A comparison between the load–separation behaviour of the new model and the conventional one shows a significant difference between the two depending on combinations of mean separation, adhesion index and plasticity index.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Free vibration analysis of initially deflected stiffened plates subjected to uniformly distributed loading with different flexural boundary conditions involving simply supported and clamped ends and zero displacement in-plane boundary conditions has been presented. A domain decomposition technique depending on the number, orientation and location of the stiffeners is employed to ensure sufficient number of computation points around the stiffeners. Geometric nonlinearity arising out of large deflection is accounted for by consideration of non-linear strain-displacement relations. Mathematical formulation is based on a variational form of energy principle, and a solution technique, where static analysis serves as the basis for the subsequent dynamic study, is followed. The results are validated with the published results of other researchers. The dynamic behavior has been presented in the form of backbone curves in a dimensionless frequency-amplitude plane. Vibration mode shapes along with contour plots are provided in a few cases.