Application of the Point-matching Method to the Three-Dimensional Elastic Contact Problems

Abstract

Hertz's theory for an elastic contact problem has been very useful up to now, but many practical problems can not be analysed by it because this theory is established on the many assumptions. In this paper, a method of three-dimensional stress analysis for the contact problem between two arbitrary elastic bodies is described in detail. Particularly, concerning a contact problem, to decide the contact area, the displacement formulars at a contact surface and the contact conditions is very important and a specific technique is here presented using the point-matching method. Moreover, by applying this method, the indentation problem of a reactangular rigid punch on a semi-infinite elastic body is analysed.