On piezoelastic contact problem for a smooth punch

This paper ®rstly 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 e€ect of the electric ®eld. 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 ¯at centrally loaded circular punch which is maintained at a constant electric potential. #