STRESSES AND DISPLACEMENTS DUE TO RECTANGULAR LOAD ON A LAYER OF FINITE THICKNESS

In this study are shown the expressions for calculating stresses and displacements beneath the rectangular flexible foundation resting on an elastic isotropic layer of limited thickness, underlain by a rigid base. The solution is given for the vertical and horizontal load. The contact between the compressible layer and rigid base has been assumed to be perfectly rough.Stresses and displacements have been calculated for the ratio H/B=1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 5.0 (where H is the thickness of the compressible layer and B is the width of the foundation), for L/B=1.0; 2.0 and 5.0 (where L and B are the dimensions of the foundation) and for the Poisson's ratio μ=0.15; 0.30 and 0.45.