A finite element approach to elastic soil-structure interaction

An application of the displacement finite element method to axisymmetric soil–structure interaction problems is described. Since the structure and foundation are analyzed as an entity, the distribution of contact pressure does not have to be assumed. The accuracy of the method is first assessed in the analysis of some simple problems to which other solutions exist. Then a series of laboratory results and one field case record, all involving flexible structures bearing on cohesionless foundations are analyzed, the foundations being treated as elastic but inhomogeneous. Both "Winkler" and elastic solid foundations are considered and it is shown that for the latter type physically reasonable distributions of the elastic modulus do not lead to very good predictions of the deflections of the structure although the deflections within the foundation itself are in agreement with observed values.