Evaluation of Hertzian contact parameters from whole field displacement data

Evaluation of contact parameters in Hertzian contact from displacement data is studied. Based on complex potential approach, generic explicit equations for displacement field in the vicinity of the contact zones are presented. Methodology for evaluating unknown contact parameters and associated rigid body displacements from the whole field experimental displacement data is implemented using an over-deterministic system of equations in a least squares sense. Usefulness of this method in dealing different contacting geometries is brought out by analyzing different contacting situations using digital image correlation.