A finite element analysis of residual stress at the unloaded stage of the indentation of an elastic-work hardening layered half-space by a rigid sphere

Residual stress distributions of an elastic plastic contact problem in elastic-work hardening layered half-space indented and removed by a rigid sphere was solved numerically using the finite element method. The case of a surface layer stiffer than the substrate is considered, and general solutions for the upper surface stresses of the layer, the interface stresses between the layer, the substrate, and along the symmetry axis are presented for a relatively thin elastic layer. Crack initiation and decohesion of the layer was also discussed with reference to residual stress distributions.