On piezoelastic contact problem for a smooth punch

This paper firstly conducts a systematic three-dimensional investigation of the problem of a rigid smooth punch bonded to a transversely isotropic piezoelectric half-space. The potential theory method is employed and generalized to take into account the effect of the electric field. In contrast to pure elasticity, two potentials are introduced. For an arbitrarily shaped punch, two governing equations are derived, which can be solved using numerical methods. Particularly, a closed-form, exact solution is obtained for a flat centrally loaded circular punch which is maintained at a constant electric potential. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.