Load motion along a beam on a viscoelastic half-space

An expression is derived for equivalent foundation of a viscoelastic half-s pace interacting with an Euler-Bernoulli beam. It is shown that this equiva lent viscoelastic foundation depends on frequencies and wave numbers of the waves in the beam. The real and imaginary part of it substantially Varies for phase velocities in between the Rayleigh and shear waves velocities. Ra diation of elastic waves occurs for velocities larger than some velocity in that interval. The steady-state beam displacements due to a uniformly movi ng constant load are calculated for different velocities. The maximum displ acement under the load takes place for a velocity of order of the Rayleigh waves velocity. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.