The wedge subjected to tractions: A paradox re-examined (Q1060590)

The classical two-dimensional solution for the stress distribution in an elastic wedge loaded by a uniform pressure on one side of the wedge becomes infinite when the wedge angle \(2\alpha\) satisfies the equation \(\tan 2\alpha_*=2\alpha_*.\) This paradox was resolved recently by \textit{J. P. Dempsey} [ibid. 11, 1-10 (1981; Zbl 0492.73003)], who obtained a solution which is bounded at \(\alpha =\alpha_*\). However, for \(\alpha\) not equal but very close to \(\alpha_*\), the classical solution can still be very large as \(\alpha\) approaches \(\alpha_*.\) In this paper we re-examine the paradox. We obtain a solution which remains bounded as \(\alpha\) approaches \(\alpha_*\) and reproduces Dempsey's solution in the limit \(\alpha =\alpha_*\). At \(\alpha =\alpha_*\) the stress distribution contains a (ln r) term for general loadings. Then (ln r) term disappears under a special loading and the stresses are bounded for all r. Moreover, the solution is not unique. In other words, for the wedge angle \(2\alpha_*\) under special loading, infinitely many solutions exist for which the stresses are bounded for all r. We also obtain solutions which are bounded and approach Dempsey's solutions when \(2\alpha =\pi\) and \(2\pi\). Again, under a special loading infinitely many solutions exist for which the stresses are bounded for all r. Care has been exercised in this paper to present the solutions in a form in which the terms \(r^{-\lambda}\) and ln r are replaced by \(R^{- \lambda}\) and ln R, where \(R=r/r_ 0\) is the dimensionless radial distance and \(r_ 0\) is an arbitrary constant having the dimension of length.