On the Axisymmetric Problem of Elastic Contact between Smooth Circular Plates

Abstract

In this paper, an exact analysis of the axisymmetric elastic contacts between smooth circular plates, is made by using the three-dimensional theory of elasticity. Informations on the contact states in this general case are pointed out by the equation itself derived from the conditions of contact. Moreover, this equation is simplified by employing the theory of a thin plate with small deflection and as an example an analytical solution expressing the radius of contact domain is found from this simplified equation for the case of a thin plate concentrically loaded lying on a half-space. Finally, for various cases of two plates under the concentrated loads numerical solutions of the above equations are calculated to find out the effects of the shape, elastic constants, loads of the plates and the approximate methods in analyses on the solution of contact and the results obtained are represented in figures.