Abstract
The classical Winkler model has often been used in many engineering fields. However, it has some shortcomings, because the adjacent displacements are discontinuous. In this paper, the Pasternak model — an improved continuum model — is applied to the surface displacement distribution analysis of an elastic layer with a finite depth in an axisymmetric condition. The parameters of the Pasternak model are determined by comparing its surface displacement distributions with those of a finite element analysis. On the basis of the results, the author proposes the non–dimensional characteristic values for the Pasternak model with a simple closed–form formulation of surface displacement distributions in the case of a rigid circular foundation on an elastic layer with a finite depth. The author then discusses the accuracy of the approximate formulation and the limits of its applicability.
