Simplified subgrade model for three-dimensional soil-foundation interaction analysis

A simple mechanical model is presented for the three-dimensional dynamic soil-structure interaction analysis of surface foundations. The model is made of one-dimensional vertical beams with distributed mass and horizontal springs which interconnect the two adjacent beams. Its parameters are rather uniquely related with the soil properties alone and thus are minimally dependent on the loading condition and the foundation conditions like geometry, flexibility and size. Formulations are provided to determine the model parameters from the soil properties. Solving the governing equations of this model, expressions for the subgrade behavior in response to the applied load and soil-foundation interaction are developed in analytical forms for various cases. The dynamic and static response of three-dimensional surface foundations are computed by these expressions. It is verified that the model is well capable of reproducing the three-dimensional soil-structure interaction behavior. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited