BEAMS ON ELASTIC FOUNDATION

 The Differential equation of elastic line

Fig 1 shows the straight beam supported along its entire length by an elastic
medium and subjected to vertical forces acting in the principal plane of the symmetrical
cross-section .

 If ,the beam under consideration has a

uniform cross-section and that b is its
constant width, which is supported on
the foundation then, the intensity of the
distributed reaction per unit length is

P lbs./in. = b Ko y ‐ (2.1)

where Ko lbs./in3 is the constant of supporting medium which is called as modulus of sub grade
reaction. In the above equation, we shall use the symbol k (lbs./in2 ) for b (in )x Ko lbs./in3)
Let us take infinitely small element enclosed between two vertical cross sections
At a distance dx apart on the beam under consideration.

 Assume that this element was taken from a

portion where the beam was acted upon by a
distributed loading q lbs./in

 The forces exerted on such an element are

shown in Fig. 2.

 Sign conventions: upward shear force and

the clockwise moment are taken as positive.
 The general expressions for slopes, bending moment and shear force of the
elastic line can be obtained

Interpretation of the
constants of equations
By taking consecutive derivatives of the equation and putting

we obtain the expressions for the slope , moment and shearing force
Beams of unlimited length
1.Concentrated loading

Fig 4 shows the beam of unlimited length in both directions subjected to single concentrated force P at point O .

The general solution for the deflection curve of a beam subjected to transverse
loading can be written as
 At an infinite distance from the application of the load ,the deflection of
the beam must approach zero.

 This condition can be fulfilled only if in the eq (a) ,the terms connected
with eλx vanish, which necessitates that in the case under discussions
c1 =0 and c2 =0 .

The eq ( a ) is reduced to

can be obtained from the consideration that the sum of the reaction forces will
keep equilibrium with load P, that is
 The curves represented by the
equations (d-g) are shown in fig 5
 2.Concentrated moment

The concentrated moment can be regarded as limiting case of the loading shown in Fig
6b, if we assume that while a approaching zero Pa will simultaneously approach the
value of M0
The deflection line for the loading in the fig.6b as
3. uniformly distributed loading

Fig8.a shows the uniform loading distributed over an A-B portion of the infinitely long beam.

Fig 8.a
 The distributed loading can be regarded as consisting of infinitely small concentrated
forces qdx

The deflection due to this concentrated force at point C is given by

(a)
where x denotes distance of the qdx element from point C

a. When point C is under the loading(Fig 8.a)

The deflection at C , as the integral of (a) above ,will be In Fig 8a the distance a
left can be regarded as
negative then exponential
term e-x will be ex in the
solution
Hence we can write

(7.a)

In similar way , substituting qdx for P in (5 b-d) and integrating within the assigned
Limits , we get the expressions of θ , M , and Q at point C as

(7. b-d)
b. When Point c is to the left of the loading (Fig.8b)

In the problem in Fig 8b both a and b distances will be considered as positive.

(8.a‐d)

Fig .8b
b. When point C is to the Right of the loading( Fig .8c)

(9.a-d)

Fig. 8c
 The correctness of formulas derived for the three different positions of point C
can be checked by substituting a=0 and b=l in (7 a-d) and (8 a-d) and thus we get
terms for point A from either side equally

From (7 a-d) and (9 a-d) , by substituting b=0 and a=l , we obtain , in both ways
again , the same expressions for point B
3. Triangular loading
we again distinguish again three cases according to the position of the
point C , where the effect of the loading is sought.

a. When Point C is under the loading ( fig .9a)

Fig .9a
Counting x from point c , we have in the region A-C in Fig. 9a
qx = (q0/l)(a-x) and in the region C-B , qx = (q0/l)(a+x) , so that ,the deflection at C
will be
b. when point C is lto the Left of the loading (Fig. 9b)

Fig . 9b
c. when point C is to the Right of the loading (Fig. 9c)

Fig .9c
Semi-infinite beam:
The term semi infinite beam will be used for a beam which
has unlimited extension in only one direction , having a finite end.

This end may, under different conditions, be

A. Free end
B. hinged
C. Fixed end
A. Semi-infinite beams with free end
P1 P2
q
PA
MA
A
Semi‐infinite beam
P1 P2
PA q
Fig. 15a MA

A Infinite beam with external loads

P0
M0 +
Fig. 15b A
Infinite beam with end conditioning
 Consider a infinitely long beam and
assume that bending moment (MA ) and shear force (QA) at point A because of some loading P1, P2 and
q, etc.
This moment and shear maintain the continuity of the beam at A
removal of MA and QA will create the semi-infinite beam with free end at point A.

problem is reduced to making MA and QA vanish on the infinite beam.

This can be done by applying a moment M0 and force P0 at point A on the infinite
beam without any external loading
such that it produces a bending moment - MA and shearing force –QA

Considering free end condition at A

BM = 0 and SF = 0
P0
BM=0 at A MA + P0/4λ + M0/2 = 0 and
M0

A
moment due to Infinite beam
concentrated load (eq 5‐d)
Moment due to the concentrated
moment (6‐d)
 and
SF =0 at A
QA - P0/2 – M0λ/2 = 0

Shear due Shear due

to concentrated to concentrated
load moment

P0 and M0 applied on the infinite beam in manner shown in Fig. 15a

P0 and M0 =known as the end – conditioning forces

b. Semi-infinite beam with hinged end

Fig. 15c
The conditions for A for hinged condition
y=0 and M = 0.

Hence if the load produces at this point a moment MA and deflection yA , the end –
conditioning forces P0 and M0 have to produce here –MA and –yA respectively.

Using (5 –a , c) and (6 – a , c) ,we can write these conditions as

c. Semi-infinite beam with fixed end (Fig 15d) :

Fig. 15c
conditions for point A for fixed end condition
y=0 and θ = 0

if the loading produced yA and θA at this point of the infinite beam the end-
conditioning forces P0 and M0 would have to produce –yA and – θA at the same
place. This conditions can be written, by use of (5 a-b) and (6a-b)
Beam of finite length with free ends

Determine the end conditioning

forces by solving these equations
 Simplified solution
• STEP 1
• Resolve applied load in symmetric part and antisymmetrical part
STEP 2
• apply end conditioning forces to remove moment and shear forces at points A and B
• Consider the symmetric and anti‐symmetrical part for the end conditioning force too
 • STEP 3
• Consider symmetric case and end conditions
BM =0

SF =0

solving where

or
• STEP 4
• Consider antisymmetrical case and end conditions
BM =0

SF =0
solving

where

or
• Finite beam with Hinged
• Finite beam with fixed end
Responses of footings of finite length due to concentrated loads.
• Seely and Smith, 1952; Iyengar andRamu, 1979
Classification of beam according to stiffness
• Short beam if L</4
‐Beam can be treated as rigid

• beam of medium length if /4 <L<

‐Beam can be analyzed as finite beam

• long beam if L>

‐Beam can be treated as semi‐infinite or infinite beam
Exercise 1
Obtain the responses of a footing subjected to vertical concentrated loads as shown
in Figure below
Determine the (a) Deflection and BM under the load P1 and (b) Maximum BM

K=35.28 x106 N/m3

E= 2.8x1010 N/m2 (RCC beam)
Responses of footings of finite length due to concentrated loads.
 Solution
• Modulus of elasticity of RCC beam = 2.8 x 1010 N/m2
• Moment of inertia = I = bd3/12
• =1.2x 0.53/12
• =0.0125 m4
• Modulus of subgrade reaction (accounting for the rectangular geometry of the
contact area) of soil
• ks=35.28x106 N/m3
• Spring constant of the beam foundation system
• k = ksb
• =1.2 x 35.28x106 N/m2
• = 4.2336 x 107 N/m2
• Mmax = (0.63P1 + 0:32P2)/4= (0.63x100 + 0.32 x 200)/(4 x0.417)
• = 76.2 kN.m

Bending moment diagram.

Particular cases of end loading

Semi infinite beam

1. Concentrated load at the free end of a Semi infinite beam

• End conditions for point O

• BM M = 0 General loading case for
• SF Q =  P1 Semi‐infinite beam
Free end condition
MA + P0/4λ + M0/2 = 0 and MA + P0/4λ + M0/2 = 0 and
QA – P0/2 – M0λ/2 = – P1 QA – P0/2 – M0λ/2 = 0
or
end conditioning forces
(QA + P1) – P0/2 – M0λ/2=0

Replace
QA=QA+P1 in the expression of end conditioning forces for general case and
Putting
QA=MA=0 since no load is acting on the beam right side of point A
End conditioning forces for the particular case of end loading P0 = 4P1
M0= – 2P1/
Responses of a semi‐infinite beam subjected to
concentrated load at free end
 2. concentrated moment at the free end of semi‐infinite beam

End condition for general loading

MA + P0/4λ + M0/2 = M1 and

QA – P0/2 – M0λ/2 = 0
end conditioning forces

Replace MA=MA  M1 in the expression of end conditioning forces for

general case and
Putting QA=MA=0 since no load is acting on the beam right side of
point A
End conditioning forces for the particular
case of end loading
P0 = 4 M1
M0= 4M1
Responses of a semi‐infinite beam subjected
to concentrated moment at free end

Free end conditions

 3. concentrated moment at the hinged end of a Semi‐
infinite beam
For general loading condition, end condition
Hinged condition

End conditioning forces

End condition for this particular case MA + P0/4λ + M0/2 = M1 and

yA + P0/2k = 0
Replace MA=MA – M1 in the expression for end conditioning forces for general case and
Putting yA=MA=0 since no load is acting on the beam right side of point A

End conditioning forces for the particular case of end loading P0 = 0

M0 = 2M1
Responses of a semi‐infinite beam subjected to
concentrated moment at hinged end
Homework assignment problem
Determine the responses of a semi‐infinite beam for the following
particular cases
(a) subjected to constant displacement at the free end (b) subjected to a
concentrated load at a distance from the free end

(a)

(b)
Assignment
• Determine the solution for the semi‐infinite beam with free end and
subjected to a uniformly distributed load
Semi‐infinite beam an Alternative method
Application to laterally loaded pile
General solution for beam on elastic medium
Governing differential equation

General solution

where A, B, C, and D are constant coefficients that can be determined from given
boundary conditions and

units of k = F/L2.
 LATERALLY LOADED (ONE‐DIMENSIONAL) PILE

• Laterally loaded pile and deformed

shape subjected to applied load Pt and
moment Mt at top.

(a) Soil resistance by springs

(b) schematic of deformed shape of pile
Pile of Infinite Length (Semi‐infinite beam problem)
• General solution

• For infinite length of pile at x→ ∞, v → 0

• since eλ x → ∞, to sa sfy the above condi on A and B must be zero,
i.e., A=B=0

• solution for semi‐infinite beam

 pile is free to move (horizontally) at the top, and the moment,
Mt = 0, and the shear force V = Pt; hence

At x = 0, sin λ x = 0, cos λ x = 1, e−λ x = 1;

hence, D= 0

Since D=0 and at x = 0, sin λ x = 0, cos λ x = 1, and e−λ x = 1.

Deflection or
Moment at Top
Pile Fixed against Rotation at Top
Exercise problem

KkPa
=0.105

Maximum deflection at mud line

Maximum BM?
B1