On the relationship between the solutions of static contact problems of elasticity and electroelasticity for a half-space

The paper establishes the relationship between the static contact problems of elasticity and electroelasticity (in the absence of friction) for a transversely isotropic half-space whose surface is the isotropy plane. This makes it possible to avoid solving the electroelastic problem by finding all the characteristics of electroelastic contact from known cases of purely elastic interaction. Moreover, the electroelastic state of the half-space can be fully described using a known harmonic function, which is a solution of the purely elastic problem. The approach is exemplified by solving contact problems of electroelasticity for flat, elliptic, two circular, conical, and paraboloidal (circular and elliptic in plan) punches __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 11, pp. 69–84, November 2006.