A theoretical model for the contact of elastoplastic bodies

The paper presents a theoretical model for the normal contact of a rigid sphere with an elastic-perfectly plastic half-space or an elastic-perfectly plastic sphere with a rigid wall. Formulae describing the force-displacement relationship for static contact problems and the coefficient of restitution for dynamic impact problems are derived. The present model can be considered as a modification of Johnson's model by using a more detailed pressure distribution function which is based on finite element analysis (PEA) results and considering the variation in the curvature of the contact surface during the contact interaction. In order to verify the theoretical model, finite element analyses are also conducted, and results are compared with those predicted by the model for both contact force-displacement relations and restitution coefficients. Good agreements between the model predictions and the FEA results are found.