Contact Analysis of a Sphere and A Rigid Flat using FEM

The macroscopic simulation of contacting bodies, e.g. the contact between sphere and rigid flat, leads to the full visualization of the distribution of contact stresses between these bodies. The elastic plastic contact problem of a sphere and a rigid flat is solved by finite element method. Initially the finite element results are validated with Hertz model and extended beyond elastic limit. The dimensionless parameters for contact load, contact area and contact pressure are calculated for a wide range of interference values. The results are obtained for materials of varying E/Y (Young's modulus/yield stress) values. Results are compared with the existing elastic plastic contact models.