Hertzian Contact Stress Calculator

Hertzian Contact Stress Equation

$$ \sigma_{max} = \frac{ 3 F }{ 2 \pi a^2 } $$ where:

σ = Maximum Contact Pressure (Pa)

F = Applied normal load (N)

a = Contact radius (m)

Calculator

Property to Calculate:

Maximum Contact Pressure (σ):

Applied normal load (F):

Contact radius (a):

Equation Assumptions

The material has perfectly smooth surfaces.
The material behaves according to Hooke's Law, i.e. it is linearly elastic.
The contact are is assumed to be small relative to the overall dimensions of the contacting bodies.
The applied load is purely normal to the surfaces in contact.
The material is homogeneous.