5. Glossary

Hertzian pressure; Pression de Hertz

Maximum pressure at contact center.

Hertz point; Hertzian point

The point at which permanent deformation is initiated if the equivalent stress at this point exceeds the elastic limit. This point is located deep down on the contact axis.

Photoelasticimetry; photoelasticimétrie

A technique based on variations in the optical index of a transparent material, enabling the distribution of contact stresses to be visualized.