Fast spectral analysis of an axisymmetric layered structure

Abstract A spectral formulation is employed to analyze the response of an axisymmetric layered structure to an impulse load from a falling weight deflectometer (FWD), which constitutes a deflection basin test. This paper presents the derivation of the dynamic stiffness matrix, the numerical formulation using discrete frequencies and wave numbers, implementation of the layered structure, and fast calculation algorithms. It is found that computational costs can be saved, without sacrificing accuracy, through the validation of a developed spectral structural model.