Indentation on one-dimensional hexagonal quasicrystals: general theory and complete exact solutions

This paper presents a general account of the indentation responses of a one-dimensional hexagonal quasicrystal half-space pressed by an axisymmetric rigid punch. Based on Green's functions of the half-space subjected to point sources on the surface, the mixed boundary value problem is transformed to integral equations and solved exactly using the results of the potential theory method. Explicit expressions for the generalised pressures and indentation forces are derived for three common indenters (cylinder, cone and approximate sphere) in a systematic manner. For conical and spherical indenters, relations between the contact radius and indentation loads are determined. The coupling phononphason fields in the half-space under indentation are accurately expressed in terms of elementary functions. Numerical calculations are performed and discussions on related physical phenomena are given. The present exact solutions can serve as benchmarks for approximate or numerical analyses and can guide the experimental characterisation of material properties of quasicrystals.