Analysis of frictional contact problems in anisotropic materials under centrifugal loads using the boundary element method

Purpose This study aims to introduce a novel boundary element method (BEM) formulation for two-dimensional elastic contact problems in anisotropic materials subjected to centrifugal loads. Design/methodology/approach The formulation enforces displacement compatibility and force equilibrium to model evolving contact regions. Its performance is demonstrated through four numerical studies: (1) flat contact between orthotropic bodies, showing excellent agreement with published results; (2) an isotropic fretting problem, validating the method for incremental loading against analytical and finite element solutions; (3) a rotating disc segment, confirming the correct treatment of centrifugal loads, and (4) a dovetail joint with inclined contact surfaces and varying friction coefficients, illustrating robustness and low sensitivity to mesh refinement. Findings The proposed BEM approach provides accurate and computationally efficient solutions to frictional contact problems. Its key contribution is the direct inclusion of centrifugal body forces through radial integration, eliminating the need for domain discretization, internal points or radial basis function interpolation. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first work applying BEM to contact problems with centrifugal loads in orthotropic materials. By incorporating body forces through radial integration without radial basis functions, the method offers a simpler yet effective framework. The dovetail joint application highlights both its engineering relevance and novelty.