Elliptical contact of thin biphasic cartilage layers: Exact solution for monotonic loading

A three-dimensional unilateral contact problem for articular cartilage layers is considered in the framework of the biphasic cartilage model. The articular cartilages bonded to subchondral bones are modeled as biphasic materials consisting of a solid phase and a fluid phase. It is assumed that the subchondral bones are rigid and shaped like elliptic paraboloids. The obtained analytical solution is valid for monotonically increasing loading conditions.