Application of artificial neural networks to a double receding contact problem with a rigid stamp

This paper presents the possibilities of adapting artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict the dimensionless parameters related to the maximum contact pressures of an elasticity problem. The plane symmetric double receding contact problem for a rigid stamp and two elastic strips having different elastic constants and heights is considered. The external load is applied to the upper elastic strip by means of a rigid stamp and the lower elastic strip is bonded to a rigid support. The problem is solved under the assumptions that the contact between two elastic strips also between the rigid stamp and the upper elastic strip are frictionless, the effect of gravity force is neglected and only compressive normal tractions can be transmitted through the interfaces. A three layered ANN with backpropagation (BP) algorithm is utilized for prediction of the dimensionless parameters related to the maximum contact pressures. Training and testing patterns are formed by using the theory of elasticity with integral transformation technique. ANN predictions and theoretical solutions are compared and seen that ANN predictions are quite close to the theoretical solutions. It is demonstrated that ANNs is a suitable numerical tool and if properly used, can reduce time consumed.