Pressure in a Contact Area between two spheres

Description

Contact mechanics is the study of the deformation of solids that touch each other at one or more points. Hertzian contact stress refers to the localized stresses that develop as two curved surfaces come in contact and deform slightly under the imposed loads. This amount of deformation is dependent on the modulus of elasticity of the material in contact. The area of contact between two spheres is a circle. The radius of the circle is related to the applied load. The distribution of normal traction in the contact area is a function of distance from the center of the circle.