The impact of a rigid sphere moving at constant velocity on elastic homogeneous half-space was analyzed by the finite element method. Frictionless dynamic contact was modeled with special contact elements at the half-space surface. A dimensionless parameter, β, was introduced to study the effect of wave propagation on the deformation behavior. For small surface interference (β⩽1), the front of the faster propagating dilatational waves extends up to the contact edge, the real contact area is equal to the truncated area, and the contact pressure distribution is uniform. However, for large surface interference (β>1), the dilatation wave front extends beyond the contact edge, the real contact area is less than the truncated area, and the contact pressure exhibits a Hertzian-like distribution. The mean contact pressure increases abruptly at the instant of initial contact, remains constant for β⩽1, and increases gradually for β>1. Based on finite element results for the subsurface stress, strain, and velocity fields, a simple theoretical model that yields approximate closed-form relationships for the mean contact pressure and kinetic and strain energies of the half-space was derived for small surface interference (β⩽1), and its validity was confirmed by favorable comparisons with finite element results.
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April 2005
Article
Impact of a Rigid Sphere on an Elastic Homogeneous Half-Space
J. Yang, Graduate Student,
J. Yang, Graduate Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
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K. Komvopoulos, Professor Fellow ASME
K. Komvopoulos, Professor Fellow ASME
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
Search for other works by this author on:
J. Yang, Graduate Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
K. Komvopoulos, Professor Fellow ASME
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
Contributed by the Tribology Division for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF TRIBOLOGY. Manuscript received February 12, 2004; revision received June 4, 2004. Review conducted by: G. G. Adams.
J. Tribol. Apr 2005, 127(2): 325-330 (6 pages)
Published Online: April 7, 2005
Article history
Received:
February 12, 2004
Revised:
June 4, 2004
Online:
April 7, 2005
Citation
Yang, J., and Komvopoulos, K. (April 7, 2005). "Impact of a Rigid Sphere on an Elastic Homogeneous Half-Space ." ASME. J. Tribol. April 2005; 127(2): 325–330. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1828078
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