Second order effects in an elastic half-space acted upon by a non-uniform normal load (Q5916312)

The Rivlin's approach is applied to analyze the second order problem for compressible elastic half-space acted upon by a non-uniformly distributed normal load. The normal load acts over a circle, the problem is axisymmetric. The problem is reduced to a linear elasticity problem with body force. The method of integral transforms is used in both general linear and second order solutions. The Papkovitch-Neuber displacement potentials are employed to obtain the solutions. The solutions are then specialized for the case when the loading is distributed in accordance with Hertz's law. The second order solutions for isotropic incompressible materials are also given for this particular loading. Some numerical calculations are presented to illustrate the second order effects. The computations give numerical results for the displacement and normal stress in the direction of symmetry axis for both compressible and incompressible materials. The numerical experiences show that the second order effect increases the \(z\)-direction displacement.