Frictionless elastic contact problem for a curved rigid punch of arbitrary shape (Q1087392)

A new method is proposed for the analysis of elastic contact problems for a curved punch of non-elliptic planform under the action of a normal force. The punch base is assumed to be a quadric surface. The method is based on an integral representation for the reciprocal distance between two points obtained by the author earlier [Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved., Mat. 1971; No.2(105), 102-104 (1971; Zbl 0221.45006)]. Some general relationships are established between the applied force and the punch settlement. Specific formulae are derived for a punch whose planform has a shape of a polygon, a rectangle, a rhombus and a cross. An example of a finite rigid cylinder lying on its generator and pressed against an elastic half-space is considered in detail. The method allows to have singular stresses at the cylinder edges and zero stresses at the rest of the boundary of the contact domain. The last condition serves for defining the width of the domain of contact. All the formulae are checked against the solutions known in the literature, and a good accuracy is confirmed in a sufficiently wide range of the aspect ratio.