Formulation of contact between two continuous bodies with adhesion in finite deformations

Within the framework of finite deformations and using an approach to the kinematics of contact due to A. Curnier; Q.C. He and J.J. Telega, we propose a spatial thermodynamic formulation for the problem coupling unilateral condition friction and adhesion. The adhesion is characterized by its intensity introduced by M. Fremond. In the case of frictionless contact between an hyperelastic body and a plane rigid support, with a particular 'static' law for the evolution of the intensity of adhesion, the problem can be reduced to a minimization one for which we can show the existence of a solution. (C) 2000 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.