The dynamic indentation of an elastic half-space by a rigid punch

The two-dimensional contact problem between a rigid die and an elastic half-space is considered. A numerical method of solution is proposed which involves an iterative process which is continued until the correct solution is obtained according to certain criteria. The method is general enough and can handle punches of arbitrary shape as well as time-dependent indentation velocities. The treatment is unified for subsonic, transonic and supersonic indentations. The numerical procedure is checked with analytical results which are known in several special cases and good agreement is obtained. Results are presented for the smooth as well as frictional indentation by a wedge-shaped die and for a smooth parabolic punch.