Stiffness of a Flexible Circular Footing Embedded in an Elastic Half-Space

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of a circular footing of finite but nonzero stiffness embedded in an isotropic nonhomogeneous elastic half-space. The problem is solved by coupling the scaled boundary finite-element method with axisymmetric shell finite elements. The coupling of the two methods is validated by comparing computed solutions with analytical solutions for a flexible footing subjected to a uniformly distributed vertical load embedded in an elastic full-space. Based on the finding that the bending stiffness of the footing dictates the response for vertical and moment load cases, whereas the normal stiffness of the footing dominates the horizontal response, a convenient method for estimating dimensionless elastic stiffness coefficients is presented graphically. New results are presented for homogeneous and Gibson soil profiles and Poisson’s ratios of 0.2 and 0.499, to represent both sand and clay. An example demonstrating a practical application of these results is also provided.