Examination of contact problem between functionally graded punch and functionally graded layer resting on elastic plane

In this study, continuous contact problem in the functionally graded (FG) layer loaded with a FG flat punch resting on the elastic semi-infinite plane was analyzed by the finite element method (FEM). It was assumed that the shear modulus and density of the layer and punch varied according to exponentially throughout their depth. FG layer's weight was included to the problem and additionally all surfaces were considered as frictionless. Analysis of FG materials was performed with a special macro which was added to the ANSYS program. Firstly, the shear modulus of the punch was considered to be very rigid and the results of initial separation load (λcr) and distance (xcr) were compared with the analytical solution. Afterwards, results obtained from the contact analysis made according to the inhomogeneity parameters (β, γ) between FG punch-FG layer which had been unprecedented in the literature were discussed. As a result, FG punch's stress values at the punch edges where stress accumulations occurred were found to be smaller than the rigid punch. The security of the structure, longer life of the material and ease of production are directly related to the reduction of the stress values. The results obtained in this study are important in this respect. Also this work is the first study that investigates the effect of FG punch on the FG layer.