Separation and slip at the edge of a complete contact: An asymptotic solution

The edge of a complete contact between elastically similar bodies may often be modelled as a semi-infinite monolithic wedge, because, under a wide range of conditions, the interface is often fully closed and stuck or has small regions of lift and slip at the contact edge. When the local edge separates from the half-plane and slip is inevitable a correction to the Williams solution is required, and this is deduced for the case where the contact-defining body possesses a 90° corner. A simple application of the solution to the example problem of a clamped strip subject to tension is calibrated and the results found used to infer the slip and separation lengths.