The influence of underlying tension on partial slip in complete and nearly complete contacts

Solutions are given for the partial slip regime present under a square ended punch, a punch having a flat plus rounded profile (and, for completeness, a Hertzian contact), when subjected to a monotonically increasing proportional shear force and bulk tension. Particular attention is paid to the effect of the tension in stabilising the partial slip regime in cases where there is an abrupt transition from near adhesion to sliding, and to the various partial slip regimes which can exist.