Continuous and discontinuous contact problems for a two-layer elastic media

SUMMARY Continuous and Discontinuous Contact Problems for a Two-Layer Elastic Media In this study, continuous and discontinuous contact problems for a two-layer elastic media which consists of two orthotropic elastic infinite strips of constant heights are considered. The layered media is subjected to a concentrated force through a rigid punch on its top surface. Bottom surface of the media is bonded to a rigid plane. It is assumed that friction is neglected and only compressive traction can be transmitted along the interfaces. Therefore, for loads greater than a certain value, a separation may be occur along a certain region at interface of the layers. In solution, weights of the layers are taken into account. By using anisotropic elasticity theory and Fourier transformation technique, the continuous contact problem is reduced to a singular integral equation and the discontinuous contact problem is reduced to a coupled singular integral equation system. These are solved numerically by using Gauss-Chebyshev integration quadrature. By taking various material combinations, numerical results for the initial separation point, the critical load, the size of the separation region, the separation amount for loads greater than critical load and the contact stress distribution under the rigid punch and along interface of the layers for both continuous and discontinuous contact problems are obtained. Effects of material orthotropy on the results are investigated. Keywords: Separation, Layered Media, Contact Problem, Fourier Transform, Gauss- Chebyshev Integration Method, Initial Separation Point, Critical Load, Integral Equation, Material Orthotropy. VI