An original dynamic tribotest to discriminate friction and viscous damping

This study deals with a method which allows identification of velocity-dependent and velocity-independent friction contributions, from energy decay curve of the free response of a damped single degree-of-freedom oscillator, including tribological contact. An original device is built and experimental dynamic responses confirm that contact friction is characterized by both velocity-dependent and velocity-independent contributions. Simulations from identified values agree with experimental data. Successive peaks of the free response are very well fitted. Estimated duration of the signal before its extinction is very consistent. The methodology appears powerful, especially for low friction coefficients leading to longer signal duration before extinction.