An Alternate Solution of the

Deformation of a Cylinder Between

H. Zantopulos
Senior Research Specialist,
The Timken Company,
Two Flat Plates
Canton, Ohio 44706
Using the method of conformal mapping, an alternate solution is obtained for the
line contact deformation of a cylinder loaded between two flat plates. In this
method, the elastic deformation of two half spaces, assuming an elliptical pressure
distribution across the width of contact, does not have to be calculated relative to an
arbitrarily selected stationary reference point.

Introduction
In considering the relative approach of two flat plates with a can be rationalized and put into the form w = u + iv. This is ac-
cylindrical roller compressed between them, many in- complished by multiplying both the numerator and the
vestigators combined the deformation in the plates with the denominator of the right hand side by the quantity x- i(k+y)
deformation of the roller to determine the total approach of to obtain
the two plates [1-4]. Hoeprich and Zantopulos showed that
these results all can be derived from a general equation [5]. u + iv= {[k2-(x2 + y2)] + i2kx] )r/[x2 + (k + y)2] (2)
Although the elastic deformation of an infinitely long roller Equating real and imaginary parts in equation (2) results in
can be obtained in a mathematically precise way, e.g., [6], the the equivalent transformation equations
same is not true for the total elastic deformation of an infinite- w = [k2-(x2+y2)]r/[x2 + (k+y)2]
ly long contact on a half-space. In that instance, the integra- (3)
tion required for the solution of the problem necessitates an v = 2krx/[x2 + (k+y)2] (4)
arbitrary choice of a stationary reference point from which to
perform the integration. Otherwise, the value of the total For the problem under consideration, i.e., for points on the
elastic deformation of the two plates becomes infinite. surface of the contact area where the half-width of contact,
In this paper another solution is presented which makes use b<Kr, the roller radius, the assumptions x. k and ^ = 0 can
of conformal mapping and eliminates the need for an ar- be made, reducing equations (3) and (4), respectively, to
bitrary reference point. First, the transformation equations u=r (5)
for the mapping are derived; then Loo's solution [6] for the
roller problem is presented. Next, Loo's solution is applied to v = 2rx/k (6)
the problem of the half-space using the transformation equa-
tions. Finally, the present solution is compared to the previous In addition, even though the elliptic pressure distribution
solution discussed in [5]. varies from the z-plane to the w-plane, the total load or load
per unit length remains fixed.
Derivation of Transformation Equations
Using conformal mapping, the problem of the half-space
shown in Fig. 1 can be transformed into the equivalent
problem of the circle with radius r shown in Fig. 2 by the map- z-plane
ping function [7]
w = (ik-z)r/(ik + z) (1) y
This transformation maps the upper half of the z-plane into
the interior of the circle in the w-plane and the x-axis in the z- O k
plane into the circumference of the circle in the w-plane.
Specifically, the point M(x = Q,y = 0) maps into the corre- 2b
sponding point M'(u=l,v = 0) and the point Q(x=0,y = k)
maps into the corresponding point Q'(u = 0,v = 0).
Noting that z = x + iy, the right-hand side of equation (1) M
./ / / //:// /,/c ' " ' " ' / { f

Contributed by the Tribology Division for publication in the JOURNAL OF 'p(s)

TRIBOLOGY. Manuscript received by the Tribology Division June 21, 1987. Fig. 1 Problem of the half-space

Journal of Tribology OCTOBER 1988, Vol. 110/727

Copyright 1988 by ASME
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 mation in the roller and then the deformation in the plates.
For the roller problem, given an elastic pressure distribution
of a cylinder on a flat plate of the same material,
b = (2Ar)U2 (11)
where
A = 4P(1-I/2)/(TTE)

Substituting equation (11) into equation (10) gives the roller

compression
5,. = 0 = (A/2) In [8/7(Ae)] (12)

Solution of the Half-Space Problem

In considering the deformation in the plates, it should be
Fig. 2 Problem of the circle
noted that the half-width of contact, b*, in the w-plane is
related to the half-width of contact, b, in the z-plane through
the transformation given by equation (6), that is,
Loo's Solution for the Roller Problem
b* = 2br/k (13)
The problem in the w-plane, Fig. 2, has been reduced by
Loo [6] to the integral equation Combining equations (11) and (13) with equation (10)
results in the deformation of the plates,
A-Bt2=- \b_bPw* \t-s\ds (7) 2A = (3 = (A/2) In [ 2k/(Are) ] (14)
The relative approach of the two flat plates with a cylin-
where drical roller compressed between them simply becomes the
sum of equations (12) and (14),
A=P'ln[e/(2r)]+p/(2K)
2A + 5r = Aln[4/(Ae)] (15)
B=l/(2rK) The relative approach 2A + 5r as given in equation (15) is a
b function of k. However, 2A + 5r for a given load and geometry
P' = [ p(s)ds must be independent of the value of k to have any physical
meaning. By dividing both sides of equation (15) by k and let-
ting A' = A/k,S/ =br/k, and A' = A/k, equation (15) can be
The expression for B has been modified from Loo's work as
rewritten as
suggested by Lubkin [8]. Equation (7) is a Fredholm equation
of the first kind whose solution was shown by Shtaerman [9] 2A'+5,'=A'ln[4/(A'e)] (16)
to be which is independent of k. This is equivalent to a new coor-
p(s) = 2P'(b2-s2)l/2/(Trb2) (8) dinate system defined by x' =x/k and y' =y/k. However, if
the prime designation is dropped, i.e., the coordinate system
b = (P'/B)m (9) renamed, then
where p(s), which is an elliptic pressure distribution, and b, the 2A + br=A\n[A/(Ae)} (17)
half-width of contact, are the solution to the Hertz contact This could also have been obtained by setting k = 1 in equa-
problem. tion (15).
Substituting equations (8) and (9) into equation (7) and per-
forming the necessary integration yields Discussion of Results
(5 = 2KP'ln[4r/(be1/2)] (10) It can be seen from equation (17) that the normal approach
Equation (10) alternately can be used to calculate the defor- is independent of the roller radius r and that the length only

A,B = integral equation coefficients m --= elliptic pressure distribution w = u + iv

b = half-width of contact in z- across contact width in x,y = z-plane coordinates
plane z-plane z = x+iy
b* = half-width of contact in P'(.s) '-= elliptic pressure distribution Zi = stationary reference point
w-plane across contact width in 0 = deformation
c' = constant w-plane 5 = total deformation of two
e = natural logarithm base P == total load on contact area plates compressing a roller
E = modulus of elasticity P' --= load per unit length K = total roller deformation
i = V^T Q --= stationary reference point in K = br/k
k = the y coordinate of point Q z-plane 2A = total deformation of two
in the z-plane Q' --= stationary reference point in plates at the center of contact
K = 2(1 - v2)/(irE) w-plane A' = A/k
I = length of contact r == roller radius A = 4P(1 - v2)/{irHE)
M = point in z-plane s,t == integral equation variables A' = A/k
M' = point in w-plane u,v == w-plane coordinates V = Poisson's ratio

728/Vol. 110, OCTOBER 1988 Transactions of the AS ME

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 Table 1 Deformation equations for a roller compressed bet- course, rests on the assumption that the roller is of sufficient
ween two flat plates length and that the plates are of sufficient thickness to agree
with the theoretical analysis.
Number Reference Equation An interesting observation is the fact that the point z= ik in
Fig. 1 (which is transformed into the point w = 0 in Fig. 2) can
1 Lundberg [1] 5 = Aln
Of) be considered as a stationary reference point since the point
w = 0 does not deform because of the symmetry of the
Palmgren [2] & = constant problem in Fig. 2.

Conclusion
3 Dowson and Hig- / 2 evn{- |-^"
/2e-
, / 2) 1
'r\~ ' V
ginson [3] 6 = Aln It would seem that Wren's [10] "appeal for a decisive inter-
pretation" of this contact problem has been satisfied. The first
Nikpur and At I" (l + ( 2 z 2 / 0 2 ) l / 2 - l step was taken by Hoeprich and Zantopulos [5] when they
Gohar [4] 5 = Aln
("ft (i + (2z2/t)2)1/2 + l
demonstrated that all of the equations listed by Wren in his
discussion can be derived from the same general expression.
5 Hoeprich and 1/2(1 - K ) \
The second step is presented in this paper, that of eliminating
Zantopulos [5] 6 = Aln the need for an arbitrary reference point. Thus, equation (17)
represents a systematic, unambiguous method for the solution
Equation (14) i5 = Aln
(f/ of the deformation of a cylinder between two flat plates.

appears in the A term as a load per unit length ratio. This is
supported by the data presented in [5] in which a regression
line passed through the data points gave a very high correla-
tion (>0.99) between the approach and the load/length ratio,
5 = constant(/VQ0-88
Equation (17) is compared to five other equations for the
deformation of a cylinder compressed between two flat plates
as shown in Table 1. It can be seen that these other equations
contain a geometrical variable t, r, or z2 in addition to A. The
inclusion of these variables is a direct consequence of the
method used to determine the deformation in the plates.
If the value of the thickness of the plates used to obtain the
experimental data in [5] is substituted into equation 5 of Table
1, the result is
5 = Aln(1.4686/A) (19)
This compares favorably with equation (17) written in the
same format
5 = Aln(1.4715/A) (20)
Hence, it would appear that the simpler equation (17) can be
used in place of equation 5 of Table 1 to calculate the defor-
mation in roller bearings. The validity of equation (17), of
Acknowledgment
The author wishes to express his appreciation to The
Timken Company for permission to publish this work. The
author would also like to thank the reviewers and Dr. Joe
Padovan of the University of Akron for their helpful com-
ments and suggestions.
(18)
References
1 Roark, R., Formulas for Stresses and Strain, Fourth Edition, McGraw-
Hill, New York, 1965, p. 320.
2 Palmgren, A., Ball and Roller Bearing Engineering, Third Edition, S. H.
Burbank and Company, Inc., Philadelphia, 1959, p. 50.
3 Dowson, D., and Higginson, G. R., "Theory of Roller Bearing Lubrica-
tion and Deformation," Proc. Lubrication and Wear Convention, Instn. Mech.
Engrs., London, 1963, Paper 19, pp. 216-227.
4 Nikpur, K., and Gohar, R., "Deflection of a Roller Compressed Between
Platens," Tribology International, Vol. 8, 1975, pp. 2-8.
5 Hoeprich, M. R., and Zantopulos, H., "Line Contact Deformation: A
Cylinder Between Two Flat Plates," ASME JOURNAL OF LUBRICATION
TRIBOLOGY, Vol. 103, 1981, pp. 21-25.
6 Loo, T. T., "Effect of Curvature on the Hertz Theory for Two Circular
Cylinders in Contact," ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 25, 1958,
pp. 122-124.
7 Wylie, C. R., Jr., Advanced Engineering Mathematics, McGraw-Hill,
1951.
8 Lubkin, J. L., Discussion to Reference [6], p. 638.
9 Shtaerman, I. la., The Contact Problems of the Theory of Elasticity,
Moscow-Leningrad, Gostekhizdat, 1949.
10 Wren, F. J., Discussion to Reference [3], pp. 275-276.

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