An Approach to the Theory of Rolling Contact (1st Report)

A theoretical approach is presented to the plane theory of rolling contact with friction. An analysis is given of elastic contact of two cylinders. A comparison is discussed between the elastic stress fields from this analysis and from the theory of Hertz contact problem. If two cylinders have the same material properties, the pressure distribution and the width of contact agree with those of Hertz contact. If they have not the same material properties, the pressure distribution, the width and the location of the contact region differ from those of Hertz contact, however, for practical purposes the latter can be used. On the other hand, because of friction the stress fields in elastic medium shift to the direction of the frictional stress. Accordingly the location, where the material may initially yield, shifts to the same direction and approaches closer to the surface than that of Hertz contact.