Determination of the Vlasov foundation parameters -quadratic variation of elasticity modulus-using FE analysis

The objective of this research was to determine the Vlasov soil parameters for quadratically varying elasticity modulus E_s(z) of the compressible soil continuum and discuss the interaction affect between two close plates. Interaction problem carried on for uniformly distributed load carrying plates. Plate region was simulated by Kirchhoff plate theory based (mixed or displacement type) 2D elements and the foundation continuum was simulated by displacement type 2D elements. At the contact region, plate and foundation elements were geometrically coupled with each other. In this study the necessary formulas for the Vlasov parameters were derived when Young's modulus of the soil continuum was varying as a quadratic function of z-coordinate through the depth of the foundation. In the examples, first the elements and the iterative FE algorithm was verified and later the results of quadratic variation of E _s(z) were compared with the previous examples in order to discuss the general behavior. As a final example two plates close to each other resting on elastic foundation were handled to see their interaction influences on the Vlasov foundation parameters. Original examples were solved using both mixed and displacement type plate elements in order to confirm the results.