If the contact point does NOT deform there would be an infinite stress at that point, which for real materials does not happen.lightarrow said:the maximum pressure on the table is not localized in the contact point but in a region, close, but under that point
Thanks. Slide 7-8 addresses exactly my question: "The maximum shear and Von Mises stress are reached below the contact area•This causes pitting where little pieces of material break out ofthe surface".256bits said:If the contact point does NOT deform there would be an infinite stress at that point, which for real materials does not happen.
Instead some elastic deformation occurs, redistributing the stress within a small area, or volume.
Of course if the stresses become too great, plastic deformation will occur and the material(s) will generally begin to fail under those conditions.
Please read this for more information
http://mech.utah.edu/~me7960/lectures/Topic7-ContactStressesAndDeformations.pdf
@Chestermiller can probably guide you through that quite thoroughly, if that is what you are inquiring about.
Pressure distribution refers to how the pressure is distributed over a surface. In the context of a solid sphere on a flat surface, it refers to how the weight of the sphere is distributed over the surface it is resting on.
The shape of the solid sphere affects the pressure distribution because it determines how the weight of the sphere is distributed over the surface. A spherical shape will distribute the weight evenly, while a non-spherical shape will result in uneven pressure distribution.
The factors that influence pressure distribution include the weight and shape of the solid sphere, the surface area of the sphere in contact with the flat surface, and the properties of the surface, such as its hardness and roughness.
As the weight of the solid sphere increases, the pressure distribution will also increase. This is because the weight is being distributed over a larger surface area, resulting in a higher pressure being exerted on the surface.
Understanding pressure distribution is important in engineering and design because it allows for the proper distribution of weight and forces on a surface, which can affect the stability and structural integrity of a structure. It also helps in determining the most efficient and effective design for a given application.