ON THE APPLICATION OF THE BOUNDARY-ELEMENT METHOD TO PLATE HALF-SPACEINTERACTION

The problem of a laterally loaded flexible plate resting on a half-spa ce continuum is solved by the boundary element method. A single integr ated procedure that models the elastic behaviour of both interacting s olids is developed. Existing boundary element formulations for the pla te and the half-space are refined and adapted to the conditions of the interaction problem. Special schemes are proposed for the evaluation of singular boundary and domain integrals. The coupling of the two for mulations is achieved through rigorous application of continuity condi tions across the interface which allow for the consideration of fricti onal effects. The computer code implementing the analysis is tested fo r accuracy, versatility and efficiency through comparison of its predi ctions with previously obtained exact and approximate results.