Tangential contact problem for a transversely isotropic elastic layer bonded to a rigid foundation

A contact problem is called tangential when arbitrary tangential displacements are prescribed over a part of the boundary of a transversely isotropic layer, while the tangential stress is zero over the rest of the boundary; the normal stress vanishes all over the boundary The Generalized Images method is used to give a complete elementary solution to the problem. A new governing integral equation is derived. A particular case of a circular domain of contact is studied in detail. The governing integral equation can be inverted in this case. Approximate formulae are derived for the resultant force and the torque. A direct relationship is established between the integral transform method and the Generalized Images method. A limiting case of general solution gives the solution for an isotropic layer.