The time‐deflection behaviour of a circular raft of finite flexibility on a deep clay layer

Abstract

The behaviour of a flexible circular raft resting on a deep clay layer is examined. The clay is idealized as a porous elastic medium, and a solution is obtained by calculating the response of the soil to a general reaction distribution and then determining the precise form of the distribution by invoking displacement compatability at the raft- soil interface. Results are presented for the time- deflection behaviour of rafts of various stiffnesses along with examples of the moment distributions and differential deflections which develop in the raft as consolidation of the clay layer proceeds. (Author/TRRL)