This paper uses Fourier transform methods to calculate the stress fiel
d in a strip of finite thickness under normal contact loading. The geo
metry is relevant to a number of common fretting fatigue experiments.
It is demonstrated that the stress component induced parallel to the f
ree surface differs significantly from that predicted for a half plane
. Further, it is shown that the use of half-plane expressions will sig
nificantly underestimate the severity of the stress state induced in f
retting experiments. This has important implications for the developme
nt of initiation and propagation models in fretting fatigue.