A FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THE INDENTATION OF AN ELASTIC-WORK HARDENING LAYERED HALF-SPACE BY AN ELASTIC

An elastic-plastic contact problem in elastic-work hardening layered h alf-space indented by an elastic sphere was solved numerically using t he finite element method. The case of a surface layer stiffer than the substrate is considered, and general solutions for the subsurface str esses and deformation fields are presented for a relatively thin elast ic layer. Differences between the elastic and elastic-plastic solution s for the contact pressure distribution have been investigated for var ious layer thicknesses. Crack initiation and decohesion of the layer w as also discussed with reference to the growth of the plastic zone. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.