What is contact mechanics in physics?

Contact mechanics is the study of how solid bodies deform when they touch each other at one or more points. It distinguishes between normal stresses acting perpendicular to surfaces and frictional shear stresses acting tangentially. Founded in the late 19th century by Heinrich Hertz, the field forms the baseline for calculating load capabilities, fatigue, and tribology in mechanical systems.

What we know

• Contact mechanics is the study of the deformation of solids that touch each other at one or more points. [1, 2]
• A central distinction in contact mechanics is between normal stresses acting perpendicular to surfaces and frictional stresses acting tangentially. [2]
• Heinrich Hertz published original work in contact mechanics in 1881 in his paper On the contact of elastic solids. [2]
• Contact mechanics is part of mechanical engineering and builds upon the mechanics of materials and continuum mechanics. [2]

Where to go next

• whoHow did Heinrich Hertz pioneer contact mechanics?
• how it workedWhat is the role of friction in contacting solid bodies?
• a case in pointHow is contact mechanics applied in mechanical engineering?
• the bigger pictureHow do continuum mechanics and materials science support contact physics?
• what followedWhat are current challenges in studying friction and wear?
• an unexpected connectionHow does checking a car tire relate to the observer effect in quantum mechanics?Both contact mechanics and the observer effect deal with physical interactions that alter the state of the objects or systems being measured.

Sources

• [1]contact mechanics (Wikidata Q1783143) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Contact mechanics · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Dynamics (mechanics) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]History of physics · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Observer effect (physics) · CC BY-SA 4.0