Indentation responses of piezoelectric layered half-space

A method for solving a class of normal frictionless indentation problems in a multilayered piezoelectric half-space is proposed. The half-space is deformed by a rigid axisymmetric indenter that includes flat-ended cylinder, cone and sphere shapes. Three different interfacial models, i.e. perfectly bonded, frictionless contact and spring-like models, are investigated. Both insulating and conducting indenters are considered. The complete solution in the half-space is obtained by integrating the elastic and electric displacements due to a point load and a point charge with unknown distribution functions over the contact area. These distribution functions are to be determined by using the boundary conditions of the contact problems. The numerical results of the indentation responses of a piezoelectric thin film in contact with a piezoelectric half-space are given as an example of the proposed method. (paper)