Contact deformation and stress in orthotropic plates

Contact loading of orthotropic plates is of interest in impact problems of composite materials. A review of the literature shows that the major features of contact loading of an orthotropic half space can be determined, but that the connection between these results and the problem of contact loading of finite thickness plates is relatively unexplored. It is found that the pressure distribution of the half space problem can be used in conjunction with the elasticity solution of Pagano and Srinivas and Rao for transverse pressure loading of simply supported orthotropic plates, with an empirical modification of the peak pressure value. The entire stress, strain, and deformation field can then be calculated throughout the plate. Examples show the relative importance of the contact stresses relative to the overall bending stresses.