Large deformation contact of a rubber notch with a rigid wedge

The contact problem of a rubber notch with a rigid wedge is analyzed based on large strain theory. The basic equations of deformation field near the notch corner are derived and solved. Analytical solution is obtained for expanding sector while the numerical solution is given for two shrinking sectors. The singularity exponent of stress and strain field is expressed by the angle of rigid wedge and the constitutive parameter of the material. A special interesting case is that a half rubber plane contacts with a rigid wedge, for which the completely analytical solutions are obtained for both expanding sector and shrinking sectors. The analysis of this paper is also valid for the contact problem of a rubber wedge with a rigid wedge. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.