On the application of the Method of Dimensionality Reduction to two-dimensional contacts

The conventional formulation of the Method of Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) in contact mechanics is only applicable two “point contacts”, that is to contacts of two unbounded three-dimensional bodies over final contact area. We analyze here if it is possible to find an at least approximate formulation of the MDR for “line contacts”, that is contacts which contact area is unbounded in one direction. In this case the problem can be formulated as contact of two two-dimensional half-“spaces”.