On the Unbonded Contact Between Plates and an Elastic Half Space

Abstract

In this paper an approximate solution is presented for the radius of contact between an elastic plate and a semi-infinite elastic half space. The plate is assumed to rest on the supporting half space without bond, and to be pressed against the elastic region by a concentrated load. In the absence of bonding no tensile stress can be transmitted across the interface between the plate and its elastic support so that contact takes place only within a circle centered about the concentrated load. Outside of this circle the plate lifts up and is no longer in contact with the elastic region.