Nanotribology investigations with classical molecular dynamics

This thesis presents a number of nanotribological problems investigated by means of classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, within the context of the applicability of continuum mechanics contact theories at the atomic scale. Along these lines, three different themes can be recognized herein: measuring the contact area in atomistic simulations, the applicability of continuum mechanics theories for describing nanocontacts, and the topography of rough surfaces at the atomic scale