The effect of boundary condition variations on the rolling resistance of a hard sphere on rubber sheets

This paper makes an interesting case for the need to consider mechanistic variations in rolling resistance forces due to noncoplanar surfaces and surface roughness. An experimental apparatus is designed to measure rolling resistance in the practically imperfect conditions of lightly-damped rolling isolation systems. These conditions include support compliance, surface imperfections and material inhomogeneities under relatively large loads. Rolling resistance experiments are conducted on steel balls between rubber sheets. Suitable mechanistic interpretations are provided for principal sources of variability. It is shown that measurement errors can be significant and that experimental results should be considered with caution. Suitable approaches for interpreting the results are then proposed and applied to this aim. Useful analytical models are fitted successfully to the processed data.

Duke Scholars

Author Henri P. Gavin Civil and Environmental Engineering