A frictionless contact problem for two elastic layers supported by a Winkler foundation

The plane contact problem for two infinite elastic layers whose elastic constants and heights are different is considered. The layers lying on a Winkler foundation are acted upon by symmetrical distributed loads whose lengths are 2a applied to the upper layer and uniform vertical body forces due to the effect of gravity in the layers. It is assumed that the contact between two elastic layers is frictionless and that only compressive normal tractions can be transmitted through the interface. The contact along the interface will be continuous if the value of the load factor, ${\lambda}$, is less than a critical value. However, interface separation takes place if it exceeds this critical value. First, the problem of continuous contact is solved and the value of the critical load factor, ${\lambda}_{cr}$, is determined. Then, the discontinuous contact problem is formulated in terms of a singular integral equation. Numerical solutions for contact stress distribution, the size of the separation areas, critical load factor and separation distance, and vertical displacement in the separation zone are given for various dimensionless quantities and distributed loads.