This research concerns the understanding of the sub-surface behaviour of a component presenting controlled heterogeneities and subjected to a Hertzian type load. The purpose is to qualify the stress field in the subsurface. Practically, defects of cylindrical shape are located where the stress field is maximal in sub surface. The contact is sized to be able to observe, by photoelasticity, the stress field and to develop a numerical model to simulate the behaviour (static and dynamic) of the friction area. It is highlighted that the presence of a hole on the z axis of symmetry (x = 0) is the dominating factor. The characteristics which allow decreasing the shearing stress on the symmetry axis are the ones which lead to a strengthening of the maximal shearing stress in the whole volume. This duality drives us to propose an indicator which takes into account, at the same time, the shearing stress below the contact and the evolution of the maximal stress in the whole volume. The working methodology was implemented and validated. The analytical and experimental approaches allow validating the numeric model which is the only one able to allow the study of numerous configurations. The perspectives are numerous, with possible incursions in structuring of sub-surfaces, simple drilling and selective laser sintering.... In another domain, the welding process is also a case of interest for the study of the behaviour of weld seam presenting defects of porosities or inclusions types
