Edge-induced instabilities and adhesion enhancement in the elastic quarter-space

The “edge effects” are significant in mechanical components such as rolling bearings, yet relevant research remains scarce and the underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. To address this gap, this study, for the first time, systematically investigates the adhesive contact behavior of a quarter-space using the Maugis-Dugdale (M−D) model, covering the transition from DMT to JKR limiting regimes. We specifically focus on the “edge effects” that arise when an indenter is positioned near a structural boundary. Our results reveal that the Tabor parameter plays a decisive role in the contact configuration and pull-off mechanisms. At low Tabor parameters (close to DMT limit), the detachment process is smooth and monotonic. While for high Tabor parameters and the JKR limit, the adhesion zone exhibits a pinning effect at the edge, forming a bridge-like configuration that leads to a sudden elastic snap-back and jumps in both force and contact area. Notably, we identify a non-monotonic dependence of adhesion strength on the indenter location: although the proximity to the edge typically reduces adhesion due to geometric truncation, it can also enhance adhesion strength in the JKR regime through stable stress redistribution. The edge can induce the coexistence of dual stable contact configuration and adhesive hysteresis, thereby rendering the indentation and pull-off process irreversible. Additionally, we evaluate the freely sliding side boundary condition as a computationally efficient alternative to the fully free side model, thereby showing its feasibility.

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