Static interaction analysis between beam and layered soil using a two-parameter elastic foundation

The work presents a finite element modeling of beam resting on a two-parameter layered soil. The behavior of the soil continuum and the beam are assumed to be linear and homogeneous isotropic. Using the strain energy expressions, the shear strain of the beam element and the soil foundation are taken together in the analysis. In this approach, the stiffness matrix of each component is elaborated and integrated in the finite element analysis. First, various examples are elaborated to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach and the ability of the numerical program developed for this concern. Second, the analysis is widened to study the influence of the soil properties on the interface continuum and on the beam responses. Third, a parametric study is carried out to highlight the effect of the position of springs at the interface continuum, the properties of soil, the deepest of the soil foundation and the ballast layer on the response of the interface and the beam itself. Moreover, shear deformations are presented to show the crucial influence on the beam, on the structure and on the interface behaviors. Obtained results show pertinent results corresponding to the interface continuum and the beam responses.