Deformation Pattern of Beams Rested on Different Foundation Models in Nonuniform Foundation Conditions

Abstract

The theoretical calculation considering foundation and beam interaction is widely employed to simulate thee deformation pattern of a beam rested on different foundation models. Based on the Kerr three-parameter foundation theory, a general analytical method that can calculate the vertical displacements on both ends of beams rested on nonuniform foundation is proposed. The proposed method introduces fewer unknown parameters and has the merits of avoiding complicated calculations of series expansion. The proposed analytical method is first compared with other foundation models and then validated by comparison with the results of finite-element numerical simulations. For both nonuniform and uniform foundation, the results show that the vertical displacements on both ends of beams calculated by the proposed method is closer to that of ABAQUS simulation results than those with the Winkler single-parameter foundation model and the Vlasov two-parameter foundation model. Note that the proposed foundation model can be transformed into the Vlasov foundation model and the Winkler foundation model by reducing the equivalent compression subgrade coefficient ratio n of the spring layers and the equivalent shear subgrade coefficient, respectively. The larger the compression modulus or the smaller the thickness, the more obvious is the uneven deformation pattern of the entire structure under nonuniform foundation conditions. When Poisson’s ratio changes from 0.25 to 0.3, the vertical displacements on both ends of beams do not change significantly.