The Stress Field Induced by Normal Contact Between Dissimilar Spheres

Abstract

The stress field induced by the mutual compression of two spheres having dissimilar elastic constants is deduced. Solutions are found assuming full slip, full stick, and partial slip at the interface, but coupling between the shear traction and vertical displacement of the surfaces is neglected. It is shown that significant modifications to the Hertzian stress field occur at the surface, and that these decay rapidly with depth.