Fourier series based FE analysis of a disc under prescribed displacements–elastic stress study

Abstract

This paper examines the numerical displacements and stresses developed around a disc under horizontal prescribed displacements and at the interface separating it from the surrounding elastic soil. Since the geometry of the problem exhibits axial symmetry and the loading is non-axisymmetric, the semi-analytical FE approach is used as it proves to be efficient and economical. First, both analytical and numerical expressions for soil reaction are established and compared. Results of comparison show a very good agreement. Then, for different values of the soil Poisson's ratio, normal radial stresses, orthoradial stresses and shear stresses distributions along radial distance reaching 20r d (r d is the disc radius) are presented for a disc that has either perfectly smooth or perfectly rough interfaces with the elastic medium. The paper finishes by showing the effect of the soil Poisson's ratio as well as the relative soil/interface stiffness on the stresses developed at the interface locations.