Contact strength of a system of two elastic half spaces with an axially symmetric recess under compression

Frictionless contact of two isotropic half spaces is considered one of which has a small smooth circular recess. A method of solving the corresponding boundary value problem of elasticity in axially symmetric case is presented via the function of gap height. The governing integral equation for this function is solved analytically by assuming a certain shape of the initial recess. On the basis of the closed-form solution obtained the strength analysis of a contact couple is performed and illustrated from the standpoint of fracture mechanics.