Application of a Generalized Subgrade Model in the Analysis of Circular Plates on Elastic Foundations
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Date
2018-06
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Publisher
AAU
Abstract
The solution to the problem of beams and plates on an elastic foundation has been attempted in
the past using various subgrade models developed by many researchers, one of the pioneers
being Winkler. Most recently, a new calibrated and more advanced multifaceted continuum
foundation model has been presented by Worku without neglecting any stress, strain, or
deformation component in the continuum unlike previously proposed models.
The study of interaction between a plate and an elastic medium has useful applications in
geotechnical engineering. This research investigates the use of a generalized continuum subgrade
model of Worku for analyzing circular plates resting on an elastic foundation. The approach
employed is both analytical and numerical. In the analytical work, the governing differential
equations of an axisymmetric circular plate on a homogeneous elastic foundation has been
formulated that incorporates Winkler and Pasternak-type subgrade models. Closed form
particular solutions have been presented for different loading conditions of small and large
circular plates after obtaining a general solution of the differential equations. A math solving
software (i.e. Mathematica) is used to compute the deflections and internal actions in a
spreadsheet program due to the complexity of the functions. In the numerical study a FEM based
software (i.e. PLAXIS 2D) is used to calibrate the analyzed circular plate using the presented
models by seeking adequate agreements with the FE outputs. At last, numerical examples are
solved using these models and compared with PLAXIS 2D for small and large radii circular
plates of some loading conditions. From the plots of the outputs, it is observed that the
generalized models of Worku are suitable and more appropriate than classical models to analyze
circular plates on elastic foundations.
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Keywords
Continuum subgrade model, Circular plate, FEM, Mathematica, PLAXIS software.