Two-dimensional symmetric double contacts of elastically similar materials

The two-dimensional contact problem for an elastic body indenting an elastically similar half plane resulting in double contacts is important for various applications. In this paper, a generic quasi-static two-dimensional symmetric double contact problem with nonsingular end points between two elastically similar half planes, under the constant normal and oscillatory tangential loading, is analyzed. The classical singular integral equations approach is utilized to extract the pressure and shear functions in the contact zones; subsequently boundary conditions at end points are applied and a new side condition is derived and titled “the consistency condition” for symmetric double contacts. This condition is necessary for determining the extent of the contact and stick zones. Next, this analytical approach is applied to the symmetric indentation of a flat surface by two rigidly interconnected wedge-shaped punches.