title: Relation between interfacial separation and load: a general theory of contact mechanics.
abstract: I study the contact between a rigid solid with a randomly rough surface and an elastic block with a flat surface. I derive a relation between the (average) interfacial separation u and the applied normal squeezing pressure p. I show that, for nonadhesive interaction and small applied pressure, p approximately exp(-u/u(0)), in good agreement with recent experimental observations.
authors.affiliation: Institute für Festkörperforshung, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: B N J
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Persson