Abstract
A method is presented for determining the complete behaviour of either a single or double, homogeneous elastic layer, with an underlying rigid base and arbitrary vertical loading. The method is readily programmed for a computer and is both accurate and rapid.The axisymmetric point load solution for a half-space is used together with a series of spherical harmonics and biharmonics to satisfy the layer boundary conditions. The series coefficients are determined by the multiple Fourier method. Expansion into polynomials in radius and depth is then effected, enabling analytic integration of the stresses and displacements for both the half-space solution and the polynomials, over a circular sector. The sector method is then used for arbitrary loading.Results are presented for the constant depth single layer with a rough rigid base, for a surface point load, and uniform and linear square surface loading. Accuracy is satisfactory for loading and point of interest within a cylindrical region of width/depth ratio, 3, for point loading and a ratio of 3.5 for uniform and linear loading.
