HORIZONTAL TRANSLATION AND ROCKING ROTATION OF A RIGID TUBULAR FOUNDATION

An exact formulation is presented for the lateral loading of a rigid t ube of finite length embedded in a semi-infinite medium. The asymmetri c mechanical interaction problem, which is relevant to the analysis of anchors and caissons in foundation engineering, is shown to be reduci ble to three coupled Fredholm integral equations. By analysis of the k ernels involved, the fundamental singular characteristics of the radia l, angular and vertical interfacial reactions acting on the foundation are explored. The results are incorporated into a computational schem e which permits the efficient evaluation of the contact loads and othe r structural responses. Solutions of the three-dimensional load-transf er, shear and bending moment diagrams, as well as the elements of the stiffness matrix pertaining to the coupled translation-rocking problem , are shown.