An efficient and accurate formulation of the surface-deflection matrix in elastohydrodynamic point contacts

This paper presents a new method for formulating the surface-deflection matrix in elastohydrodynamic point contacts. This method evaluates the integrand of the deflection integral at an integration point in each of the rectangular elements and thus avoids generating lengthy and complex mathematical expressions. The new method is shown to be significantly more efficient than the conventional methods of pressure interpolation. Furthermore, it yields accurate surface-deflection results with relatively few grid points.