On the Determination of Foundation Model Parameters

Abstract

Various methods for the determination of the foundation model parameters are reviewed. It is then shown that one of the four known methods is conceptually of questionable validity because according to it the model parameters may be expressed analytically in terms of the elastic constants (E,υ) of the actual subgrade. As part of the presentation, the Pasternak foundation response is derived from the equations of an elastic continuum. The paper concludes with a discussion of the other methods published in the literature for the determination of these parameters.