CIRCULAR PUNCH ON THE UNSTRETCHABLE WESTERGAARD-TYPE SUBGRADE

Horizontally unstretchable continuum of the Westergaard's type is mode lled by elastic layers of finite thicknesses interconnected with very thin, flexible but unstretchable sheets. For the regular layered struc ture, the finite difference equations are formulated and their closed solutions is presented. The resulting formulae are used when the conta ct problem solution is sought in a form of series of spherical functio ns. The unknown series coefficients are determined via Galerkine metho d, the formulae for punch settlement and inclination are presented and a numerical procedure is developed and used to study the influence of the Westergaard's subgrade material parameters epsilon (subgrade rein forcement intensity) and v (Poisson's ratio of the basic material).