A New Processing Method for Modelling the Vertical Stress Distribution at the Soil Surface

One problem when modelling soil compaction is the estimation of vertical stress distribution at the soil surface, as it is non-uniform and mainly depends on soil properties. However, a uniform vertical stress distribution is used in most FEM compaction models. A new processing approach is proposed to numerically model vertical stress distribution at the soil surface, employing the FEM models of PLAXIS code. The approach consists of a beam introduced at the soil surface and loaded with a uniform stress with the aim to simulate the action of a wheel at the soil surface. Then, different shapes of stress distribution could be obtained numerically at the soil surface by varying the flexural rigidity of the beam corresponding principally to the rigidity of superstructure and by varying the mechanical parameters of the soil.