BEAMS ON ELASTIC

FOUNDATION
Under the guidance
Of
Dr.M.V.RENUKA DEVI
Associate Professor
Department of Civil Engineering, RVCE

By
M.PRASANNA KUMAR
(1RV13CSE05)
 INTRODUCTION
• Beneath the foundation soil mass is considered as
identical, independent, closely spaced, linearly elastic
springs which is known as Winkler foundation.
• Bending of beams on an elastic foundation is
developed on the assumption that the reaction forces of
the foundation are proportional at every point to the
deflection of the beam at that point .
• One of the most important deficiencies of the Winkler
model is that a displacement discontinuity appears
between the loaded and the unloaded part of the
foundation surface. In reality, the soil surface does not
show any discontinuity.
 Classification of beams:
The beams on elastic foundation can be
classified into three types
• Short beams for which β𝐿 ≤ 0.6
• Medium beams or semi-infinite beams for which
0.6< βL < 5
• Long beams or infinite beams β𝐿 ≥ 5
L= length of the beam
 Infinite beam subjected to point load

d2 y
• As we know , EI =−M
d𝑧 2
d3 y
EI =−V
d𝑧 3
d4 y
EI 4
d𝑧
=−q
• Where the distributed reaction force q is
positive when acting upward
• For linearly elastic foundation, the distributed
force q is linearly proportional to the deflection
y . Thus,
q = ky
k = bk 0
Where k is the elastic coefficient, k 0 is the elastic
foundation modulus, and b is the width of the
foundation.
 d4 y
EIx 4 = − ky
dz
d4 y k
=− y
dz4 EIx
• To solve this homogeneous, fourth order, linear
differential equation.
k
we will assume that = 4β4 ,then
EIx
d4 y
+ 4β4 y = 0
dz4
• By using method of differential equation the solution of
above equation is
y = eβz c1 sinβz + c2 cosβz + e−βz c3 sinβz +
Since the deflection 𝑦 = 0 , z ∞ then the term eβz ∞
and e−βz 0
we obtain c1, = c2 = 0 , y = e−βz c3 sinβz + c4 cosβz
• By applying boundary conditions
dy
1. dz
= 0 at z = 0
dy −βz
= −βe c3 sinβz + c4 cosβz +
dz
βe−βz c3 cosβz − c4 sinβz = 0
we get
c3 = c4 = c ; y = ce−βz sinβz + cosβz
 ∞
2. 2 0
kydz = p
∞ −βz
2 0
kce sinβz + cosβz dz = p
∞ −βz ∞ −βz P
0
kce sinβz) + 0
e cosβz dz =
2KC
1 1 P
+ =
2β 2β 2KC
Pβ
C=
2K
Then equation for deflection is
Pβ
y= e−βz sinβz + cosβz
2K
 dy Pβ
θ= = [−2βe−βz sinβz ]
dz 2K
Pβ2 −βz
=− [e sinβz ]
K
d2 y Pβ2 d
Mx = −EIx 2 = EIx [e−βz sinβz ]
dz K dz
P −βz
= e cosβz − sinβz)
4β
dM d P
Vy = − = − [ e−βz cosβz − sinβz ]
dz dz 4β
P
= e−βz cosβz
2
• Defining,
Aβz = e−βz cosβz + sinβz) Bβz = e−βz sinβz
Cβz = e−βz cosβz − sinβz) Dβz = e−βz cosβz)
Then, we have
Pβ
y= Aβz
2K
Pβ2
θ=− Bβz
K
P
Mx = Cβz
4β
P
Vy = D
2 βz
• A rail road uses steel rails (E = 200.0 GPa ) with a depth of
184 mm . The distance from the top of the rail to its centroid
is 99.1 mm , and the moment of inertia of the rail is 36 ×
106 mm4 . The rail is supported by ties, ballast, and a road bed
that together are assumed to act as an elastic foundation with
modulus of subgrade reaction k = 14.0N/mm2 .length is 6m.

(a) Determine the maximum deflection, maximum bending

moment, and maximum flexural stress in the rail for a single
wheel load of 170 KN as shown in Fig

(b) If a locomotive has 3 wheels per truck equally spaced at 1.70

m, determine the maximum deflection, maximum bending
moment and maximum flexural stress in rail when the load
on each wheel is 170 kN.
 4 14
Solution: β = = 0.000835mm−1
4×200×103 ×36.0×106

β × 𝑙 = 0.000835 × 6 = 5
(a) The maximum deflection and the maximum
bending moment occur under the load Where z =0
therefore Aβz = Cβz = 1.0
 Pβ 170 × 103 × 0.000835
ymax = Aβz = = 5.069 𝑚𝑚
2K 2 × 14
P 170 × 103
Mmax = Cβz = = 50.89 × 106 N − m
4β 4 × 0.000835
Mmax × C 50.89 × 106 × 99.1
σmax = = 6
= 136.6 Mpa
Ix 36.9 × 10
(b) Case (i):
• For case 1, let the origin of the coordinate be located
under one of the end wheel. The distance to the first
wheel 𝑧1 = 0 , we have
Aβz1 = Cβz1 = 1.0
The distance from the origin to the next wheel is
z2 = 1700mm
Aβz2 = 0.2797 Cβz2 = −0.2018
The distance from the origin to the next wheel is
z3 = 3400mm
Aβz3 = −0.0377 Cβz3 = −0.0752
• we get the maximum deflection and the maximum
bending moment equal to
 Pβ
ymax = Aβz1 + Aβz2 + Aβz3
2K
= 5.069 1 + 0.2797 − 0.0377 = 6.2958mm
P
Mmax = Cβz1 +Cβz2 + Cβz3 ) = 50.89 × 106 1 −
4β
 Pβ
• ymax = Aβz1 + 2Aβz2 = 5.039 1 + 2 0.2797 = 7.858 mm
2K
P
• Mmax = Cβz1 +2Cβz2 ) = 51.20 × 106 1 − 2 × 0.2018
4β
= 30.54KN − m
we obtain, ymax = 7.858 mm,
Mmax = 37.02KN − m

Mmax × C 37.02 × 106 × 99.1

σmax = = 6
= 99.4MPa
Ix 36.9 × 10
Beam Supported on Equally Spaced
Separated Elastic Supports
Each spring has same spring constant K . The
reaction force R exerted on the beam is directly
proportional to the deflection y
R = ky
the load R can be idealized as uniformly distributed
over a total span L
Ky = kyl
k=K l
k is the elastic coefficient
However it has to satisfy the condition
π
Check for spacing of the spring l ≤
4β
To obtain a reasonable approximate solution
Check for length of the beam is
′′ 3π
L ≥
2β
• Problem2: An aluminium alloy I-beam (depth =
100𝑚𝑚, Ix = 2.45 × 106 mm4 , E = 72.0GPa) as shown
in figure has a length of 7m and is supported by 7
springs k = 110 N mm . Spaced at a distance of 1.1m
centre to centre along the beam. A load P = 12.0KN is
applied at the centre of the beam. Determine the
maximum deflection of the beam, the maximum bending
moment, and the maximum bending stress in the beam.
Solution: The elastic coefficient
110
k = = 0.1 N mm2
1100
the value of β
4 0.1 −1
β= = 0.000614 mm
4 × 72 × 103 × 2.45 × 106
Check the spacing of the spring.
π π
l< = = 1279 mm
4β 4×0.000614
Check the length of the beam
3π 3π
• L′′ = 7000 + 1100 = 8100 > = = 7675
2β 2 0.000614)
The maximum deflection and the maximum
bending moment of the beam occur under the load
where, Aβz = Cβz = 1.0
Pβ 12 × 103 × 0.000614
ymax = Aβz = = 36.84 mm
2K 2 × 0.1
P 12 × 103
Mmax = Cβz = = 4.886 × 106 N − m
4β 4 × 0.0006140
Mmax × C
σmax = = 99.7 MPa
Ix
 Infinite Beam Subjected to a Distributed
Load Segment

From the displacement solution of the beam

subjected to concentrated load
Pβ
y= e−βz sinβz + cosβz
2K
 wβ
dyh = e−βz sinβz + cosβz dz
2K
By using the principle of superposition, the total
deflection due to the distributed load is
a wβ
yh = 0 2K
e−βz sinβz + cosβz dz +
b wβ
0 2K
e−βz sinβz + cosβz dz
wβ 1 1
yh = [ 1− e−aβ cosβa
+ 1 − e−bβ cosβb ]
2K β β
w
= [2 − e−aβ cosβa − e−bβ cosβb]
2K
a b
dyh dyh wβ
θH = dz + dz = [Aβa − Aβb ]
0 dz 0 dz 2K
w w
MH = [Bβa + Bβb ] VH = [Cβa − Cβb ]
4β2 4β
where,
Aβa = e−aβ sinβa + cosβa) Bβa = e−aβ sinβa
Cβa = e−aβ cosβa − sinβa) Dβa = e−aβ cosβa
Aβb = e−bβ sinβb + cosβb) Bβb = e−bβ sinβb
Cβb = e−bβ cosβb − sinβb) Dβb = e−bβ cosβb

w
yh = [2 − Dβa − Dβb ]
2K
wβ
θH = [Aβa − Aβb ]
2K
w
MH = 2 [Bβa + Bβb ]
4β
w
VH = [Cβa − Cβb ]
4β
• Problem 3: A long wood beam (E = 10.0 GPa) has a
rectangular cross section with a depth of 200 mm and a
width of 100 mm . It rests on an earth foundation having
spring constant of k 0 = 0.040 N mm3 and is subjected
to a uniformly distributed load 35 N/mm extending over
a lengthL′ = 3.61m. Taking the origin of the coordinate
at the centre of the segment L′ = 3.61m. determine the
maximum deflection, the maximum bending stress in the
beam, and the maximum pressure between the beam and
the foundation. The moment of inertia of the beam about
x -axis isIx = 66.67 × 106 mm4 .
Solution: The elastic coefficient k = bk 0 = 100 × 0.040 =
4 N mm2
4 4
value of β = = 0.001107mm−1
4×104 ×66.67×106
The maximum deflection occurs at the centre of segment
L′ since a = b = L′ /2
L′
βa = βb = β = 2.0, Dβa = Dβb = −0.0563
2
w 35
yh = 2 − Dβa − Dβb = 2 − 2 −0.0563
2K 4
= 9.243mm
• The maximum pressure between the beam and the
foundation occurs at the point of the maximum
deflection
q max = k 0 ymax = 0.040 × 9.243 = 0.370MPa
Maximum bending occurs at where shear force is zero
w
VH = Cβa − Cβb = 0
4β
Cβa = Cβb
e−aβ cosβa − sinβa = e−bβ cosβb − sinβb)
L′
β = 2.0 (L′ = a+b) βb = 4 − βa
2
βa = 0.858 , −0.777
βb = 3.142 , 4.777
 w
Mmax = 2
[Bβa + Bβb ]
4β
35
= 2
[0.3233 + 0.0086]
4 0.00107 )
= 2.363 KN-m
M
Bending stress is σ = × Y = 3.544 MPa
I
 Semi-infinite beam Subjected to Loads at
Its End
Consider the semi-infinite beam subjected to a point load
P and a positive bending moment M0 at its end
y = e−βz c3 sinβz + c4 cosβz
c3, c4 can be obtained by applying boundary
conditions
d2 y
EIx 2 = −M0
dz
z=0
d3 y
EIx 3 = −Vy = P
dz
z=0
d2 y 2β2
2
= − βz [c3 cosβz − c4 sinβz]
dz e
M0 2β2 M0
c3 = =
2β2 EIx k
d3 y 2β3
3
= βz [c3 sinβz + c4 cosβz + c3 cosβz − c4 sinβz]
dz e
 p 2βP
c3 + c4 = 3 =
2β EIx k
2βP 2β2 M0
c4 = −
k k
the deflection of the beam is
2βe−βz
y= [Pcosβz − βM0 cosβz − sinβz)]
k
2βP 2β2 M0
By rearranging, y = Dβz − Cβz
k k
2Pβ2 4β3 M0
θ=− Aβz + Dβz
K k
P
Mx = − Bβz + M0 Aβz
β
Vy = −PCβz − 2M0 β Bβz
A steel I-beam (E = 200GPa ) has a depth of 102mm , a
width of 68mm , a moment of inertia of Ix = 2.53 ×
106 mm4 and a length of 4m. It is attached to a rubber
foundation for which k 0 = 0.350 N mm3 . A concentrated
load p = 30.0 KN is applied at one end of the beam.
Determine the maximum deflection, the maximum bending
stress in the beam, and their locations.
Solution: The spring coefficient, k = bk 0
= 68 × 0.350 = 23.58 N mm2
4 23.8
value of β = = 0.001852mm−1
4×200×103 ×2.53×106
The maximum deflection occurs at the end where load P is
applied (z =0 ), sinceDβz is maximum we have βz = 0 and
Dβz = 1
 P 30 × 103
Mx = − Bβz = − × 0.3224 = −5.22 KN − m
β 0.001852
M 5.22 × 106 × 4.67
σ= ×Y= 6
= 9.63MPa
I 2.53 × 10
FINITE BEAMS:
• Finite beams are defined as beams for which 𝛽𝑙 ≤ 0.6
• Finite beams can be analysed using the analysis results
of infinite beams
• Finite beam can be split into loading case namely
symmetric and anti-symmetric load acting on infinite
beam.
 PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE
• Historically the first application of this theory was to
rail road track
• Another application of this soon after the rail road
track is grid works of beams
• Mat foundation under certain structures, such as silos
water storage tanks, coal storage tanks, etc., and
footing foundation supporting group of columns, are
frequently designed and constructed in the form of
beams resting on soil.
• No doubt it satisfies the actual conditions of real
elastic theory of soil.
 REFERENCES
• Arthur P. Boresi, Richard J.Schindt, “Advanced Mechanics of materials”,
Sixth edition John Wiley &Sons. Inc., New Delhi, 2005
• Thimoshenko & J N Goodier, “Mechanics Of Solids”, Tata McGraw-Hill
publishing Co.Ltd, New Delhi, 1997
• Seely Fred B. and Smith James O., “ Advanced Mechanics of Materials”, 2nd
edition, John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York, 1952, pp.112-136
• Srinath L.S., “Advanced Mechanics of Solids”, Tata McGraw-Hill
publishing Co.Ltd, New Delhi, 1980, pp180-191
• Thimoshenko S., “Strength of Materials”, Part-1, Elementary Theory and
Problems, 3rd Edition, D. Van Nostrand company Inc., New York, 1955,
pp.227-244
• Boresi A.P and Chong K.P(2000), “Elasticity In Engineering Mechanics”
2nd edition New York ; Wiley – Interscience.
• N Krishna Raju & D R Gururaja, “Advance Mechanics Of Solids &
Structures”, 1997
• B C Punmia & A K Jain. “Strength of Materials and Theory of Structures”,
Vol.2 Lakshmi publications (P) Ltd.