1. Analytical approaches

1.1 Elastic indentation

Thanks to the theory of elasticity [31] , we can analyze the elastic regime of the indentation of a semi-infinite mass by conical, circular or plane-based indenters in plane and axisymmetric deformation. The main results of these analyses are presented in Table 1 for the axisymmetric cases. These results are obtained assuming zero friction and adhesion, but more complex analyses show that the effects of friction and adhesion are generally negligible.

Three preliminary points are worth noting.

• This analysis integrates the elasticity of the indentor (Young's modulus...