Finite layer analysis of the behaviour of a raft on a consolidating soil

A numerical method is developed in this paper for the analysis of the behaviour of a raft resting on a consolidating soil. The response of the raft under an applied loading is determined using the finite layer method for the soil and the finite element method for the raft. By considering deflection compatibility on the contact surface, the distribution of contact pressure is computed at various time steps. The settlement and bending moment in the raft is then evaluated by applying the calculated contact pressure back to the raft. It is shown that, in some cases, the maximum moment in the raft occurs during consolidation and that checking the final moment in the raft by use of elastic theory may not be sufficient.

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