Solution of a receding contact problem using an analytical method and a finite element method

In this study, a receding contact problem for two elastic layers supported by a Winkler foundation is handled using two different methods such as an analytical method and a finite element method. Firstly, the problem is solved analytically using linear elasticity theory. Then, in order to solve the same problem in a different way, a finite element model of the problem is created by ANSYS software, and finite element analysis of the problem is performed. The contact stresses and the contact areas at the interfaces between punch-Layer 2 and Layer 1-Layer 2 are obtained for both solutions, and it is shown that the finite element method indicates a good agreement with the analytical method.