PHOTOELASTIC AND NUMERICAL STRESS ANALYSIS OF A PIN ON A PLAN CONTACT SUBJECTED TO A NORMAL AND A TANGENTIAL LOAD

Abstract

Theoretical studies of contact stresses can be in some cases very complex. Several methods, experimental as well as numerical, are used to analyze these types of problems. In this paper two methods are used: the photoelasticity method and the finite element method. Stresses are determined in the neighborhood of the contact zone for a plan subjected to a normal load and a tangential load via a pin of cylindrical cross section. The purpose here is to study the effect of applying simultaneously a normal and a tangential load. Photoelastic fringes are used to obtain stress values, particularly in the neighborhood of the contact zone. Comparisons are made between experimental and simulated isochromatic fringes and isoclinic fringes. Relatively good agreements are observed.