Beams On Elastic Foundation

Table of contents
Lecture notes: Structural Analysis II
Beams on elastic foundation

I. Basic concepts.
The beam lies on elastic foundation when under the applied external loads, the reaction forces of
the foundation are proportional at every point to the deflection of the beam at this point. This
assumption was introduced first by Winkler in 1867.
Consider a straight beam supported along its entire length by an elastic medium and subjected to
vertical forces acting in the plane of symmetry of the cross section (Fig. 1)
M
cross
section
B x
b
y
R(x)
plane of
symmetry
Figure 1 Beam on elastic foundation

Because of the external loadings the beam will deflect producing continuously distributed
reaction forces in the supporting medium. The intensity of these reaction forces at any point is
proportional to the deflection of the beam y(x) at this point via the constant k:
R(x)=ky(x).
The reactions act vertically and opposing the deflection of the beam. Hence, where the deflection
is acting downward there will be a compression in the supporting medium. Where the deflection
happens to be upward in the supporting medium tension will be produced which is not possible.
In spite of all it is assumed that the supporting medium is elastic and is able to take up such
tensile forces.
In other words the foundation is made of material which follows Hookes law. Its elasticity is
characterized by the force, which distributed over a unit area, will cause a unit deflection. This
force is a constant of the supporting medium called the modulus of the foundation k0 [kN/m2/m].
Assume that the beam under consideration has a constant cross section with constant width b
which is supported by the foundation. A unit deflection of this beam will cause reaction equal to
k0b in the foundation, therefore the intensity of distributed reaction (per unit length of the beam)
will be:
R(x)= bk0y(x)= ky(x),
where k= k0b is the constant of the foundation, known as Winklers constant, which includes
the effect of the width of the beam, and has dimension kN/m/m.
II. Differential equation of equilibrium of a beam on elastic foundation

Consider an infinitely small element enclosed between two vertical cross sections at distance dx
apart on the beam into consideration (Fig. 2). Assume that this element was taken from a portion
2011 S. Parvanova, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy - Sofia
111
where the beam was acted upon by a distributed loading q(x). The internal forces that arise in
section cuts are depicted in Fig. 2.
q(x)
M+dM
Q+dQ
Q
dx
R(x)
Figure 2 Differential element of length dx

Considering the equilibrium of the differential element, the sum of the vertical forces gives:
V = 0 Q ( Q + dQ ) + R
( x) dx q ( x) dx = 0 ;
N
k y( x)
dQ
= kyq .
dx
Considering the equilibrium of moments along the left section of the element we get:
M = 0 dM ( Q + dQ ) dx q
dM
=q.
dx
dx 2
dx 2
+r
=0;
2
2
0
0
Using now the well known differential equation of a beam in bending:

d2y
EI
dx
it can be written:
2
dQ d 2 M
d4y
.
EI
=
=
dx
dx 2
dx 4
Finally, from the summation of the vertical forces V = 0 :

EI
d4y
dx 4
y IV + 4
= kyq;
k
q ( x)
y=
.
4 EI
EI
N
4
In the above equation the parameter includes the flexural rigidity of the beam as well as the
elasticity of the foundation. This factor is called the characteristic of the system with dimension
length-1. In that respect 1/ is referred to as the so called characteristic length. Therefore, x
will be an absolute number.
The differential equation of equilibrium of an infinitely small element becomes:
112
q ( x)
k
,
=4
.
EI
4 EI
The solution of this differential equation could be expressed as:
y ( x) = y0 ( x) + v( x) ,
y IV + 4 4 y =
where y0 ( x) is the solution of homogeneous differential equation y IV + 4 4 y = 0 , v( x) is a

particular integral corresponding to q(x).
1. Solution of homogeneous differential equation
The characteristic equation of the differential equation under consideration is:

r 4 + 4 4 = 0 .
After simple transformations this characteristic equation could be presented as:
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
= r 2 i 2 2 r 2 + i 2 2 = 0 ,
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
r + i 2 r + + i 2 = 0

2
2
2 2 2
2
2
2 2
2
r + i 2 + i r + + i 2 + i = 0
2 2
2 2
2 2
2
2
2
2
r + ( i ) r + ( + i ) = r i ( i ) r i ( + i ) = 0
r i ( i ) r + i ( i ) r i ( + i ) r + i ( + i ) = 0 ,
r 4 + 2 2
= r 4 i 2 2 2
( )
( )
wherefrom the roots of the above characteristic equation are:

r1 = ( + i ) , r2 = ( i ) , r3 = ( + i ) , r4 = ( i ) .
The general solution of homogeneous differential equation takes the form:
r1 x
r x
r x
r x
+ A2 e 2 + A3 e 3 + A4 e 4 ;
+i )x
i ) x
+i )x
i )x
y0 ( x) = A1 e(
+ A2 e(
+ A3 e(
+ A4 e(
;
y0 ( x) = A1 e
y0 ( x) = A1 e x ei x + A2 e x ei x + A3 e x ei x + A4 e x ei x .
Using the well known Eulers expressions:
ei x = cos x + i sin x,
e i x = cos x i sin x.
the solution takes the form:
y0 ( x) = A1 e x ( cos x + i sin x ) + A2 e x ( cos x i sin x ) + A3 e x ( cos x + i sin x ) +
+ A4 e x ( cos x i sin x )
After simple regrouping of the members the expression becomes:
x
x
y0 ( x) = e
A3 + A4 ) cos x + ( iA3 iA4 ) sin x + e ( A1 + A2 ) cos x + ( iA1 iA2 ) sin x .
(

B3
B4
B1
B2
113
By introducing the new constants B1-B4 where B1 = ( A3 + A4 ) , B2 = ( iA3 iA4 ) , B3 = ( A1 + A2 )

and B4 = ( iA1 iA2 ) the solution can be written in a more convenient form:
y0 ( x) = e x [ B1 cos x + B2 sin x ] + e x [ B3 cos x + B4 sin x ]

Taking into account the expressions:
1
1
ch x = e x + e x and sh x = e x e x , respectively:
2
2
x
x
e = ch x + sh x and e
= ch x sh x ,
the equation of elastic line takes the form:
y0 ( x) = ( ch x sh x ) [ B1 cos x + B2 sin x ] + ( ch x + sh x ) [ B3 cos x + B4 sin x ] ,
and after regrouping of the members of the expression:
y0 ( x) = ch x cos x ( B1 + B3 ) + sin x ( B2 + B4 ) + sh x cos x ( B1 + B3 ) + sin x ( B2 + B4 )

C2
C4
C1
C3
By introducing the new constants C1-C4 the final solution reads:

y0 ( x) = ch x [C1 cos x + C2 sin x ] + sh x [C3 cos x + C4 sin x ] .
1.1 Derivation of the integration constants C1-C4
By differentiation of the above equation we get:

y0 ( x) = sh x [C1 cos x + C2 sin x ] + ch x [ C1 sin x + C2 cos x ] +
+ ch x [C3 cos x + C4 sin x ] + sh x [ C3 sin x + C4 cos x ] .

After regrouping of the members about integration constants Ci the first derivative takes the form:
y0 ( x) = C1 ( sh x cos x ch x sin x ) + C2 ( sh x sin x + ch x cos x ) +
+ C3 ( ch x cos x sh x sin x ) + C4 ( ch x sin x + sh x cos x ) .
By differentiation of the first derivative y0 ( x) the second derivative of the elastic line is:
y0 ( x) = 2 C1 ( ch x cos x sh x sin x sh x sin x ch x cos x ) +
+ 2 C2 ( ch x sin x + sh x cos x + sh x cos x ch x sin x ) +
+ 2 C3 ( sh x cos x ch x sin x ch x sin x sh x cos x ) +
+ 2 C4 ( sh x sin x + ch x cos x + ch x cos x sh x sin x ) .
Finally, for the second derivative we have:
y0 ( x) = 2 2 C1 sh x sin x + 2 2 C2 sh x cos x 2 2 C3 ch x sin x +
+ 2 2 C4 ch x cos x.
After differentiation of the second derivative the third derivative of y0 ( x) becomes:

y0( x) = 2 3 C1 ( ch x sin x + sh x cos x ) + 2 3 C2 ( ch x cos x sh x sin x )
2 3 C3 ( sh x sin x + ch x cos x ) + 2 3 C4 ( sh x cos x ch x sin x ) .
114
dy
d2y
M
d3y
Q
=
and
=
we can obtain the general expressions
= ( x) ,
2
3
dx
EI
EI
dx
dx
for the slope of the deflected line ( x ) , for the bending moment M ( x ) and for the shear force
Knowing that
Q ( x ) at any point of distance x at the beam axis. Taking in these equations x = 0 , bearing in
mind that sin 0 = 0 , sh 0 = 0 , cos 0 = 1 , ch 0 = 1 and cos 0 ch 0 = 1 , we get the initial parameters
of the left end of the beam as follows:
y0 (0) = y0 = C1 ;
y0 (0) = 0 = C2 + C3 ;
M
y0 ( x) = 0 = 2 2 C4 ;
EI
Q
y0( x) = 0 = 2 3 C2 2 3 C3 .
EI
After simple transformations:
y0 = C1 ;
0
= C2 + C3 ;
M
2 0 = C4 ;
2 EI
Q
3 0 = C2 C3 .
2 EI
Now expressing the constants C1-C4 as unknowns, from the above system of equations we have:
C1 = y0 ;
Q
C2 = 0 3 0 ;
2 4 EI
Q
C3 = 0 + 3 0
2 4 EI
M
C4 = 2 0 .
2 EI
Substituting these results in the above expression for the solution of homogeneous differential
equation y0 ( x) we get:
y0 ( x) = ch x y0 cos x + 0 3 0
2 4 EI
Q0
M0
sin x .
sin x + sh x 2 + 3
cos x 2
4 EI
2 EI
After regrouping of the members about the initial parameters the solution becomes:
( ch x sin x + sh x cos x ) 0 +
y0 ( x) = ch x cos x y0 +
2
( ch x sin x sh x cos x ) Q0 + sh x sin x M 0 .

+
4
2
3 EI
2 EI
115
By introducing the new functions A ( x ) , B ( x ) , C ( x ) and D ( x ) in such a way that the

following substitutions are valid:
A ( x ) = ch x cos x ,
B ( x ) =
( ch x sin x + sh x cos x ) ,
2
sh x sin x
and
2
( ch x sin x sh x cos x ) ,
D ( x ) =
4
the equation of elastic line becomes:
M
Q
y0 ( x) = A ( x ) y0 + B ( x ) 0 C ( x ) 2 0 D ( x ) 3 0 .
EI
EI
C ( x ) =
The functions A ( x ) , B ( x ) , C ( x ) and D ( x ) are known as Krilovs functions, and the

following expressions are true for their first derivatives:
A ( x ) = 4 D ( x ) ; B ( x ) = A ( x ) ; C ( x ) = B ( x ) ; D ( x ) = C ( x ) .
Recall that the solution of original differential equation is:
y ( x) = y0 ( x) + v( x) ,
where v( x) is a particular integral corresponding to the applied loads.
In that respect the equation of elastic line of a beam on elastic foundation get the form:
M
Q
y ( x) = A ( x ) y0 + B ( x ) 0 C ( x ) 2 0 D ( x ) 3 0 + v( x)
EI
EI
Using the above relations for first derivative of the Krilovs functions and final equation of elastic
line we can obtain general expressions for the slope of the deflected line ( x ) , for the bending
moment M ( x ) and for the shear force Q ( x ) at any point of distance x of the beam axis. These
relationships are as follows:
M
Q
y ( x) = A ( x ) y0 + B ( x ) 0 C ( x ) 2 0 D ( x ) 3 0 + v( x) ,
EI
EI
M
Q
0
( x ) = y( x) = 4 D ( x ) y0 + A ( x ) B ( x ) 2 0 C ( x ) 3 0 + v( x) ,
EI
EI
M
M ( x ) = EIy( x) = EI 4 2C ( x ) y0 + EI 4 2 D ( x ) 0 + EI 2 A ( x ) 2 0
EI
Q
+ EI 2 B ( x ) 3 0 EI v( x ),
EI
M
Q ( x ) = EIy( x) = EI 4 3 B ( x ) y0 + EI 4 3C ( x ) 0 EI 4 3 D ( x ) 2 0
EI
Q
+ EI 3 A ( x ) 3 0 EI v( x).
EI
116
The same equations written in matrix form are:

A
y ( x)
x 4 D
( )
=
2
M ( x ) EI 4 C
Q ( x ) EI 4 3 B
C
B
EI 4 2 D
EI 2 A
EI 4 3C
EI 4 3 D
y0
D 0 v ( x )
C v( x)
M +
EI 2 B 2 0 EI v( x)
EI
EI 3 A Q EI v( x)
0
3 EI
In the above expressions the initial integral constants C1-C4 are replaced by the y0 , 0 , M 0 and
Q0 quantities, called initial parameters. This representation is known as the method of initial
conditions.
It is more convenient to express EI multiple values of the transverse displacements ( EIy ( x) ) and
EI multiple values of slope of deflection line ( EI ( x) ). If the following relations are valid:
V = EIy ( x), V0 = EIy0 ;
= EI ( x), 0 = EI0 ;
V = EIv( x), = EIv( x), M = EIv( x), Q = EIv( x) ;
The basic unknowns of any section of the beam axis expressed by the initial parameters finally
get the form:
B
C
D
2
3
A
V
V ( x)
0 V
B
C
4 D
2 0
A
( x)
=
+

M
M
x
M
(
)

B 0
2
4
C
4
D
A
Q
Q ( x)
0 Q
A
4 3 B 4 2C 4 D
III. Derivation of particular integrals corresponding to concentrated moment

M, concentrated vertical force F and uniformly distributed load q(x)
Q0
M0
0
y0
F
1
M(x)
(x)
k
5 y(x)
Q(x)
f
m
x
y
Figure 3 Beam on elastic foundation different types of loading
117
Let us assume that initial parameters y0 , 0 , M 0 and Q0 are known. Then we can proceed from
the left end of the beam (Fig. 3) toward the right along the unloaded portion 0-1 until we arrive at
the point 1 where the concentrated moment is applied.
1. Particular integral owe to the concentrated moment M
The concentrated moment M must have an effect to the right of section 1 similar to the effect,
which the initial moment M0 had on portion 0-1. The influence of M0 is given by the third column
of the above matrix. In accordance with this column the influence of concentrated moment can be
expressed as:
C ( m )
V( x) =
M,
2
B ( m )
( x) =
M,
M = A ( m ) M ,
Q = 4 D ( m ) M .
2. Particular integral due to the concentrated force F
In a similar way we can find the influence of concentrated force F. It is the same as the influence
of Q0 to the portion 0-2 of the beam, taken with reverse sign (because concentrated force is
opposing to the initial shear force). Thus, the influence of F could be obtained by the forth
column of the above matrix, or:
V( x) =
( x) =
D ( f )
3
C ( f )
F,
F,
2
B ( f )
M( x) =
F,
Q( x) = A ( f ) F .
2. Particular integral corresponding to the distributed load q
The distributed load q can be regarded as consisting of infinite small concentrated forces such as
q dxq in Fig. 4. The effect of this force for the portion 3-5 of the beam into consideration is the
same as the effect of the force F (Fig. 4), namely:
V( x) =
D (n xq )
) q dx
q.
118
q dxq
Q0
M0
0
y0
M(x)
(x)
4
dxq
xq
y(x)
Q(x)
k
n
x
y
Figure 4 Derivation of particular integral due to distributed loading
The effect of all infinite small concentrated forces belonging to the distributed load can be
expressed as the following integral:
nk D (n x )
nk D (n x )
q
q
V( x) =
d n xq
q
dx
q
q
3
3
0
0
Bearing in mind that A ( x ) = 4 D ( x ) it can be written that:
A ( x ) dx = 4 D ( x ) dx ,
respectively D ( x ) dx = A ( x ) / 4 .
In our case D ( (n xq ) ) d (n xq ) = A ( ( n xq ) ) / 4 .
Finally, for the influence of distributed load on the transverse displacements we get:
nk
q A (n xq )
q A ( (n n + k ) ) + A ( (n 0) )
q
V( x) = 3
= 3
= 4 ( A ( n ) A ( k ) )
4
4
4
0
V( x) =
q
4 4
( A ( n ) A ( k ) ) .
The other particular integrals can be derived by differentiation of the above equation - recall the
relations A = 4 D; B = A; C = B; D = C , or:
q
( x) = V( x) = 3 ( D ( n ) D ( k ) ) ;
q
M( x) = ( x) = 2 ( C ( n ) C ( k ) ) ;
q
Q( x) = M( x) = ( B ( n ) B ( k ) ) .
119
IV. Classification of the beams according to their stiffness

The term l , where l is the beam length, characterizes the relative stiffness of the beam on
elastic foundation. According to the values of l the beams can be classified into three groups:
1) Short beams for which: l < 0.5 ;
2) Beams of medium length: 0.5 l 5 ;
3) Long beams: l > 5 .
For beams belonging to the first group the bending deformations of the beam can be neglected in
the most practical cases. These deformations are negligible small compared to the deformations
produced in the foundation. Therefore such beams can be considered as absolutely rigid.
For the beams belonging to the second group the loads applied at the one end of the beam have a
finite and not negligible effect to the other end. In this case an accurate computation of the beam
is necessary and no approximations are possible. For these beams the method of initial conditions
is very suitable and the obtained results are accurate.
The beams belonging to the third group have a specific feature l such that the counter effect
of the end conditioning terms (forces and displacements) on each other is negligible. When
investigate the one end of the beam we can assume that the other end is infinitely far away. The
forces applied at the one end of the beam have a negligible effect to the other end. In other words
the Krilovs functions A( l ) , B ( l ) , C ( l ) and D( l) are practically zero which greatly
simplifies the computations.
V. Numerical example
In the following numerical example we shall construct the diagrams of vertical displacements, the
slope of the deflection line, bending moment and shear force and the diagram of vertical reactions
in the foundation. All the diagrams will be found by the method of initial conditions.
Consider a beam on elastic foundation with free ends. The geometrical dimensions, mechanical
properties and loadings are shown in Fig. 5. The modulus of elasticity of material of the beam is
3107 kN/m2 (concrete) and the modulus of the foundation is k0=50000 kN/m2/m.
The Wiklers constant or constant of the foundation is:
k= k0b=500001.1=55000.
250
100
Cross section
0.5
200
1.1
f=9
4
m=6
5
n=5
10
E=3107 kN/m2;
k0=50000 kN/m2/m
Figure 5 Numerical example: geometrical dimensions and mechanical properties
120
The main characteristics of the beam into consideration are:

1
1
I = b h3 = 1.1 0.53 = 0.011458 m 4 ;
12
12
EI = 3 107 0.011458 = 343750 kN .m 2 ;
k
55000
=4
= 0.44721 m 1;
4 EI
4 343750
l = 0.4472110 = 4.472.
=4
The beam is of a medium length according to its stiffness l , so the method of initial conditions
is applicable.
Next we should determine the initial parameters of the left end using the boundary conditions of
the right end of the beam. Obviously for the free left end the bending moment M0 and the shear
force Q0 are equal to zero, the vertical deflection y0 and rotation 0 are the unknown initial
parameters which should be determined using the boundary conditions of the right end. These
boundary conditions are:
M (l ) = 0;
Q(l ) = 0.
Using the expressions for bending moment and shear force in terms of initial parameters and
accounting for the influence of loading the following equations are compounded:
B ( f )
q
M ( l ) = 4 2C ( l ) V0 + 4 D( l ) 0 + A ( m ) M
F 2 ( C ( n ) C ( k ) ) = 0,
q
Q ( l ) = 4 3 B( l ) V0 + 4 2C ( l ) 0 4 D ( m ) M A ( f ) F ( B ( n ) B ( k ) ) = 0.
For x=l the distances m, f , n and k are as shown in Fig. 5 or m =6, f =9, n =5 and k =0. In this
case the above equations become:
17.004 V0 14.358 0 6.5921 100 + 44.042 250 1000 (1.81928 0 ) = 0,
9.4692 V0 17.004 0 4.3782 100 + 17.7663 250 447.21( 0.43394 0 ) = 0.
17.004 V0 14.358 0 = 8532.07,
9.4691 V0 17.004 0 = 3810.01.
Wherefrom:
V0 = 590.03
0 = 104.51
Having the initial parameters available, for the given external loadings, we can obtain any
parameter of an arbitrary section of the beam axis using the expressions below:
121
B( x)
C ( x)
D( x)
A( x)
3 V
V ( x)
0 V
B( x)
C ( x)
4 D( x)

A( x)
( x)
0
=
M
M
M ( x )
B( x) 0
2
C
x
D
x
A
x
4
(
)
4
(
)
(
)
Q
Q ( x)
0 Q
A( x)
4 3 B( x) 4 2C ( x) 4 D ( x)
D ( f ) q ( A ( n ) A ( k ) )
C ( m )

F 4 4
3
M
V
2
q
C f
( ) F 3 ( D ( n ) D ( k ) )

B ( m )

M + 2
=
+
M
B f
q ( C ( n ) C ( k ) )
Q A ( m ) M ( ) F 2
4 D ( m ) M A ( f ) F q ( B ( n ) B ( k ) )
V ( x)
R ( x ) = k y ( x) = k
EI
It should be pointed out that for every different section of the beam, with a single abscissa x, the
values of m, f, n and k are different and depend on the distance x. The influence of different
loading appears when the section into consideration is on the right of this loading. The obtained
results for vertical displacements, the slope of the deflection line, bending moments, shear forces
and the vertical reactions, for different sections of the beam, are calculated and given in table 1.
Table 1
x
V(x)=EIy(x)
(x)=EI(x)
M(x)
Q(x)
R(x)
590.035
-104.514
0.000
0.000
94.406
0.9999
481.727
-119.549
44.395
85.922
77.076
481.727
-119.549
44.395
-164.078
77.076
364.279
-93.929
-84.426
-96.754
58.285
326.363
29.653
-153.863
-43.162
52.218
3.9999
437.891
195.983
-169.054
15.748
70.063
437.891
195.983
-69.054
15.748
70.063
662.582
244.093
-12.626
103.125
106.013
899.391
219.197
49.981
28.431
143.903
1090.916
162.960
55.849
-11.586
174.547
1228.738
116.131
35.530
-25.386
196.598
1331.329
93.128
11.337
-20.275
213.013
10
1421.503
89.150
0.000
0.000
227.440
122
The diagrams of required displacements and internal forces of the beam are presented in Fig. 6.
The diagram of continuously distributed reaction forces in the foundation is depicted in Fig. 7.
V = EIy ( x)
1331.33
1421.50
89.15
1228.74
93.128
116.13
162.96
219.20
1090.92
899.39
662.58
244.09
437.89
195.98
326.36
364.28
481.73
590.03
(a)
= EI ( x)
11.337
35.530
55.849
28.431
Q
20.275
11.586
43.162
96.754
103.125
15.748
85.922
49.981
44.395
(d)
164.078
25.386
(c)
12.626
69.054
169.054
29.653
153.86
93.929
84.426
119.55
104.51
(b)
Figure 6 (a) Vertical deflections; (b) slope of the deflected line; (c) bending moment diagram; (d)
shear force diagram
123
227.44
213.01
196.60
174.55
143.90
106.01
70.063
52.218
58.285
77.076
94.406
R
+
Figure 7 Diagram of vertical reactions

Verification
In order to verify the obtained results we shall check the equilibrium of the vertical forces using
the condition V = 0 . In order to do that, we should find the resultant force of distributed vertical
reaction in the foundation, presented in Fig. 7. In other words we have to calculate the area of the
corresponding diagram of R. Using a numerical integration the area of the diagram of vertical
reactions is:
2 94.406
A = 1
+ 2 77.076 + 58.285 + 2 52.218 + 70.063 + 2 106.01 + 143.90 + 2 174.55 + 196.60 +
3 2
+ 2 213.01 +
V = 0
227.44
= 1250.33
2
1250.33 250 200 5 = 1250.33 1250
The numerical error is 0.026%. The error is due to numerical integration and will decrease if we
calculate the values of vertical reactions in more sections of the beam, respectively if we decrease
the step between two neighboring values of the diagram.
124
References
HETENYI, M. Beams on elastic foundation. Waverly press, Baltimore, 1946
. . . . ,
1988
125

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Lecture notes: Structural Analysis II