Shakedown and induced microslip of an oscillating frictional contact

Using the method of reduction of dimensionality, we calculate the microslip motion of a tangentially loaded frictional contact between an elastic sphere and a rigid base. An oscillating rotation of the sphere with a small amplitude leads to a creep motion of the rigid base. Depending on the amplitude and the tangential force, two possible scenarios may occur. For oscillation amplitudes smaller than a critical value, the rigid body shakes down in the sense that the frictional slip ceases after a limited number of rotation cycles. Otherwise, the rigid base starts to slip with a constant mean velocity, which depends on the static displacement and the rotational amplitude.