A new simplified approach for soil-structure interaction

This article summarizes the traditional method of soil-structure interaction based on the coefficient of subgrade reaction and shows its weakness. Then a new soil-structure interaction model is proposed which considers the soil as a set of connected springs which enables interaction between springs. Its use is as simple as the traditional model but allows to define the soil properties independently from the structural properties and the loading conditions. Based on these principles, a three dimensional program has been developed in order to solve the difficult problem of soil improvement by inclusions (stiff or soft). Equations used in the model are developed and a parametric study of the necessary data used in the program is presented. In particular, the Westergaard modulus notion is analyzed.