Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Plastic Hysteresis in Spherical Contact Under Combined Normal and Tangential Loading

The behavior of an elastic-plastic contact between a deformable sphere and a rigid flat under combined constant normal and reciprocating tangential loading is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical model is based on the assumptions of full stick contact condition and elastic–linear kinematic hardening of the sphere material. Hysteretic change of friction force versus tangential displacement during reciprocating tangential loading is investigated along with the study of the change of the contact area and stress state in the elastic-plastic sphere. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental results is obtained.