The elastic and electric fields for three-dimensional contact for transversely isotropic piezoelectric materials

Firstly, the extended Boussinesq and Cerruti solutions for point forces and point charge acting on the surface of a transversely isotropic piezoelectr ic half-space are derived. Secondly, aiming at a series of common three-dim ensional contact including spherical contact, a conical indentor and an upr ight circular flat punch on a transversely isotropic piezoelectric half-spa ce, we solve for their elastic and electric fields in smooth and frictional cases by first evaluating the displacement functions and then differentiat ing. The displacement functions can be obtained by integrating the extended Bollssinesq or Cerruti solutions in the contact region. Then, when only no rmal pressure is loaded, the stresses in the half-space of PZT-4 piezoelect ric ceramic are compared in the figures with those of the transversely isot ropic material which are assumed to have the same elastic constants as thos e of PZT-4. Meanwhile, the electric components in the half-space of PZT-4 p iezoelectric ceramic are also shown in the same figures. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.