HERTZ CONTACT

STRESS THEORY
NG HAN PEI
KGY 130024

Introduction

Background
Theory and Mathematics
Contact Mechanics
Summary and Conclusions

Mechanics of Materials

Typical Stress Theory

Shows That for An
Element Subject to Axial
Load
Images taken from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_mechanics

What Happens When

Spherical or Cylindrical
Surfaces Contact?

Point or Line Contact Results

A 0 so
Image taken from Contact Mechanics, K.L. Johnson

Solids in Contact

In Reality, Under Load the Objects

Deform Giving a Contact Area
a << R

A Theory was Required to Predict the Shape of

the Contact Area as well as:
Area Growth Under Increasing Load
Stress and Deformation in Both Bodies

Hertz Developed First Analysis of Stress in Two

Elastic Solids in Contact

Hertzian Contact Stress Theory

1880 Hertz Developed a Theory of the Elastic

Deformation of Two Surfaces in Contact
Formulated

After Studying Newtons Interference

Fringes Between Two Glass Lenses

Simplifying Assumptions
Surface

are Continuous and Non-Conforming

Strains are Small
Surfaces are Frictionless
Solids are Operating in the Elastic Regime

Contact between a sphere and a

half-space

An elastic sphere of radius R indents an elastic halfspace to depth d

thus

creates a contact area of radius,

Similarly,

From the Material Properties,

An Effective Modulus of Elasticity Can
Be Established,
are the elastic moduli
are the Poisson's
ratios associated
with each body.

Contact between a sphere and

a half-space

The Contact Area of Two Solids Under a Given Load Can

Be Shown To Be,

The Maximum Pressure Occurs at the Center and is

Shown To Be,

The Compression of the Two Solids Can Also Be

Determined As,

Contact between two spheres

For contact between two spheres of radii R_1 and R_2,

the area of contact is a circle of radius a. The equations
are the same as for a sphere in contact with a half plane
except that the effective radius R is defined as

Contact between two crossed

cylinders of equal radius R

This is equivalent to contact between a sphere of radius

R and a plane

Contact Stress

The Principle Stresses in the Material Occur in the Orthogonal

Planes

x = 1 , y = 2 , z = 3

At Maximum Pressure the Stress in the Normal Direction is Given By,

Stress in the Orthogonal Directions is Shown to be,

= =

tan1

Maximum Shear Stress is,

1+

1
2 1+

Relation to Optics

In Optics Several Situations Arise Where Contact Stress

Must Be Considered

Lens Seats
Kinematic Constraints

Sharp Corner Lens Seat

Consider a Spherical Lens in a Sharp Corner Seat

Seating Lens Creates Ring Contact

As a Pre-Load is Applied Stress is Induced in the Glass and the
Seat

Glass and Seat Must be Analyzed Under This Load and Any Other
Induced Loads

Kinematic Constraint

Kinematic Constraint Used for Precision Motion and

Alignment

Controls Chosen Degrees of Freedom

Contact Stress Can Degrade Precision

Summary

Two Non-Conforming Solids in Contact Can

Result is High Stresses
Small

Contact Area

Hertz Developed a Theory for Contact Stress

Allows

for Prediction of Contact Area, Pressure,

Compression and Stress

Contact Stress Becomes a Significant

Consideration for Optics
Lens

Mounting
Precision Motion and Alignment

Thanks