Contact mechanics of rubber and soft matter

This chapter reviews recent advances made in the treatment of contact problems involving soft materials often characterized by non-linearly elastic material properties, such as rubber and soft biological tissues. Starting from the fundamental formulation developed to solve viscoelastic contact mechanics, the treatment of complex problems involving surface roughness, layered materials, and reciprocating contacts in dry contacts is presented in increased order of complexity. The reader is then introduced to the study of lubricated contacts, with a discussion of the interplay between viscoelastic effects in the solids and the viscosity marking the lubricant behavior. Experimental validations that cover various aspects of the work are also presented.