Comparison of Finite Element Solution and Photoelastic Results for 2-D Contact Mechanics Problems

Abstract

The finite element method and photoelasticity technique are presented to predict displacementand stress distribution for contact mechanics problems. The paper first describes 2D contactmechanics theory. The finite element formulations based on Lagrange multiplier and Penalty methodare presented, The computational procedure and its boundary conditions are then described. Thephotoelasticity theory and its procedure are also explained. To evaluate the efficiency of bothtechniques, the displacement and stress distribution for two circular plates contact problem andcircular-flat plate contact problem are used to compare the finite element solutions and those fromphotoelasticity technique and Hertz solution. The solutions show that the stress distributionspredicted by finite element method are in good agreement with the photoelasticity results and Hertzsolutions.

Keywords : Finite Element Method / Photoelasticity / Contact Mechanics