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Boundary element elastic analysis of layered soils by a successive stiffness method
Author(s) -
Maier G.,
Novati G.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
international journal for numerical and analytical methods in geomechanics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.419
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1096-9853
pISSN - 0363-9061
DOI - 10.1002/nag.1610110502
Subject(s) - boundary element method , discretization , stiffness matrix , stiffness , boundary (topology) , direct stiffness method , mathematical analysis , mathematics , matrix (chemical analysis) , boundary knot method , finite element method , singular boundary method , homogeneous , basis (linear algebra) , geometry , structural engineering , engineering , materials science , combinatorics , composite material
The elastostatic analysis of layered systems (such as a soil consisting of a set of L individually homogeneous strata) is tackled here on the basis of discretized boundary integral equations (boundary element method). By exploiting the peculiar chain‐like pattern of the system, a recursive formula is obtained which generates economically a ‘stiffness matrix’ of the first n layers (from bottom) at the upper interface with the subsequent layer ( n = 1… L ). The ‘successive stiffness’ method proposed is shown to imply noteworthy advantages with respect to both the standard boundary element method by zones (or subregions) and another ad hoc , earlier method resting on a boundary element approach combined with the transfer matrix concept. This conclusion is corroborated by two‐dimensional examples.