Elasto-plastic indentation of a half-space by a rigid sphere under normal and torque loading

This work presents a numerical study of a spinning rigid sphere pressed against an elasto-plastic half space under combined normal and torque loading. The von Mises stresses and equivalent plastic strain under different torques are investigated. Results show that the torque shifts the maximum von Mises stress and plastic region in the half space closer to the surface at larger friction coefficient. An empirical formula to predict the contact area is suggested. The evolution of the plastic region in the half space is further examined. The region shows more complex shapes than those only under a normal load.

► A comprehensive numerical elasto-plastic contact analysis of the torque loading. ► Plastic zone shows complex evolution under the combine normal and torque loading. ► Comparisons with other types of loading/working conditions through parametric study. ► An empirical formula to predict the contact area is suggested.