Bending of a finite beam in bonded and unbonded contact with an elastic foundation

Abstract

Numerical methods are used to investigate the problem of a beam of finite length which rests on a continuous elastic foundation and which carries a central concentrated load. Two conditions are considered—in one case the beam is bonded to the elastic foundation while in the second case the beam is not bonded to the elastic foundation. Values of the maximum bending moment and deflection induced in the beam are computed for both the bonded and unbonded condition and the magnitude of the contact length is calculated for the unbonded case. The dependence of these quantities on the dimensional parameters is also studied.