A sphere of radius r = 8 mm is pressed against a rigid flat plane. Using a commercial program, determine the contact radius, a, for a given load F = (30 X 2π) N.
Assume a linear elastic material with Young's modulus E = 1,000 N/mm2 and Poisson's ratio ν = 0.3. Use an axisymmetric model. Compare the finite element result with the analytical contact radius of a = 1.010 mm.
