15th IACMAG www. 15iacmag.

org
19-23 October 2017, Wuhan, China

ASYMPTOTIC METHOD FOR DETERMINING STIFFNESS

OF DISCRETE CONTACT BETWEEN PERIODIC PUNCH SYSTEM
AND INHOMOGENEOUS SOIL
Mikhail L. Kholmyanskya*
a
NIIOSP Research Institute, Research Centre “Civil Engineering”, Moscow, Russian Federation
* mlkholmyansky@yandex.ru

Abstract

In many practical problems soil is interacting with multiple regularly spaced long structural
elements like strip foundations and piles. It may be a challenging computational problem to model all
of them; examining the result is difficult and even not necessary since only the global behaviour may
be of interest.
It was reasonable to suppose that the patterns of stress and displacement in all the contact zones
that are surrounded by other contact zones are identical. Thus periodic contact problem for infinite
system of rigid strips (punches) was stated. For the sake of simplicity the problem was stated as linear
elastic and planar. The soil was assumed to be inhomogeneous in the direction perpendicular to its
boundary. The period (distance between punches) was small compared to the vertical inhomogeneity
making asymptotic analysis possible.
Two problems were solved. For the first problem of periodic system of punches on homogeneous
half-plane an earlier found solution was adapted and analysed. The second problem about
non-homogeneous layer was one-dimensional and thus easily solvable. In the both problems
asymptotic expansions were obtained and matched to give the final solution. Comparison to finite
element solutions showed good accuracy.
The simplest conclusion was that the analysis of discrete contact of structural system with soil
mass may be performed as for continuous contact with the same soil mass covered with Winkler
springs. The corresponding modulus of subgrade reaction for Winkler springs was expressed through
a simple formula. It was concluded that computational complexity of many problems of soil-structure
interaction may be diminished greatly with the obtained results.

Keywords: Soil-structure interaction, Strip foundations, Contact problems, Asymptotic methods

1. Introduction

Soil-structure interaction analysis must account for contact area details. The problem may be
extremely difficult if many contact zones exist. The aim of the paper is to simplify soil-structure
interaction problems in this case.
In many practically important problems soil-to-structure contact area is not continuous; there may
be multiple contact zones showing discrete contact. Examples include separate footings, strip
foundations, piles etc. Detailed numerical calculation in case of multiple contact zones may become
difficult or even impossible while the result analyzing may be problematic.
It is reasonable to state a periodic problem to calculate displacements and stresses in the internal
part of contact area where the stresses and displacements are nearly identical for all contact zones.
Periodic problems are studied in contact mechanics but mostly with reference to stress
distribution [2]. There are some applications to geomechanics [13, 15]. Different aspects of discrete
contact were studied [1, 5]. Effective spring stiffness for discrete imperfect contact (crack array) is
considered in some works with replacement of initial configuration by distributed springs; the result is
used for ultrasound applications [9].
Periodic boundary problems of two-dimensional elasticity were solved previously using Fourier
series [4] or complex potentials [3; 6]. Periodic contact problem (for contact stresses only) was solved
using integral equations [14].
According to Saint-Venant’s principle the stresses and the strains in the depth of the soil tend to
constant values; these values depend on the average values of boundary periodic loads. One may
15th IACMAG www. 15iacmag.org
19-23 October 2017, Wuhan, China

suppose that the boundary displacements are a sum of two terms: displacements due to average load
and an addition due to stress redistribution and concentration under contact zones. Corresponding
results were obtained in [7] for maximum displacements under periodic uniform strip loads on
homogeneous soil. This result was confirmed and extended to vertically inhomogeneous soil [8].
A more realistic approach requires rigid smooth strips (punches) in place of uniform loads. The
same periodic contact problems were solved earlier [14], but for contact pressures only.

2. Problem statement and decomposition

2.1 Two-dimensional periodic contact problem for inhomogeneous soil mass

The problem statement is simplified in order to get simpler results. Linearly deformable (elastic)
isotropic soil mass –∞ < y < 0 in plain strain is considered. Periodic system of rigid smooth punches is
applied to its boundary along intervals – ℓ + dk < x < ℓ + dk where k = 0, ±1, ±2, … (see Fig. 1, a).
The rest of the boundary is stress-free. Shear loads are zero along the entire boundary. Soil is
modelled by elastic layer with arbitrary dependence of elastic modulus and Poisson ratio on the
depth t: E = E(t); ν = ν(t).
Every parameter H of soil vertical inhomogeneity (e.g., layer thickness H or the depth H where
E(H) = 2E(0) for a layer with linearly increasing modulus) is supposed large compared to d and ℓ.

2.2 Method of matched asymptotic expansions: inner expansion and outer expansion

There is a small parameter in the problem stated, namely d/H, so the method of matched
asymptotic expansions (see [11]) may be used to solve it. First, sharp changes describing the
near-boundary displacement pattern is determined (inner expansions, H/d →∞). Second, expansion
for d/H →0 (outer expansions) is obtained. To relate these expansions so-called matching procedure is
used. The solution of the initially stated problem is asymptotically approximated by the inner
expansion in the corresponding region (inner region) and by the outer expansion in the outer region.
In some overlapping part of the two regions both the outer and the inner expansions are valid, so it is
possible to write down necessary equations and determine the unknown expansion parameters.
The inner expansion corresponds to periodic problem for punches on homogeneous half-plane (see
Fig. 1, b). The outer expansion corresponds to one-dimensional problem for inhomogeneous soil mass
under uniform pressure peq = N/d (see Fig. 1, c).

3. Two-dimensional periodic contact problem for half-plane (inner expansion)

3.1. Westergaard’s solution and its adaptation to periodic contact problem

The earlier known solution and probably the simplest one is one obtained by Westergaard as early
as 1939 [16]. It utilizes single complex potential valid only for plane or half-plane unlike general
representation of elastic solutions by two complex potentials [10].
We apply the solution of the problem for periodic system of cracks on the x-axis in plane strain
under stress applied at infinity (see Fig. 2, a). To use his solution we recall the fact earlier mentioned
in many works: due to the symmetry about x-axis the boundary conditions for lower half-plane in
contact with smooth rigid punches are identical to the boundary conditions on the top of lower
half-plane being a part of the plane with properly arranged cracks. That takes place because in the
crack problem shear stresses are zero along the entire boundary and normal displacement — between
the cracks. Displacements may be changed by adding constant displacements thus changing
displacement boundary condition under punches to non-zero. Correspondence of the contact problem
and the crack problem is shown on Fig. 2.
In our notation the Westergaard’s solution (with misprint corrected) is expressed as a function
Z = Z(z) of single complex variable z = x+iy:

cos2 ( l / d )
Z   peq 1 (1)
cos2 ( z / d )
15th IACMAG www. 15iacmag.org
19-23 October 2017, Wuhan, China

d y d

N N N

x
1
l l l l l l

H
2

d y d

N N N

x
l l l l l l

H=∞
1

y
d=0 peq = N/d

x
1
H

Fig. 1. Periodic contact problem for elastic inhomogeneous layer

(by the example of two homogeneous sub-layers: 1–upper sub-layer; 2–lower sub-layer)
a — original problem
b —inner expansion
c —outer expansion
15th IACMAG www. 15iacmag.org
19-23 October 2017, Wuhan, China

a
`

peq = N/d

d y d

A B C D
x

l l a a l l a a l l

d y d
N A B N C D N

x
l l l l l l

Fig. 2. Correspondence of the contact problem for half-plane and the crack problem for entire plane

a — crack problem with lower half-plane boundary condition:

AB, CD: stress-free; BC: normal displacement zero (constant) & shear stress zero

b — contact problem with lower half-plane boundary condition:

AB, CD: stress-free; BC: normal displacement constant & shear stress zero
15th IACMAG www. 15iacmag.org
19-23 October 2017, Wuhan, China

3.2. Stress analysis and solution non-uniqueness

The stresses may be obtained from complex potential Z using the following formulas [16]:
 x  Re Z  y Im Z ' (2)
 y  Re Z  y Im Z ' (3)
 xy   y Re Z ' (4)
where Z' is the derivative of Z.
It is evident that boundary conditions are not sufficient for the uniqueness of stresses because
addition of constant horizontal stress σx does not change them. Conditions at infinity must be stated
also. The asymptotic analysis of equations (1)–(4) for z = 0 – it, where t → +∞ shows that in that case
 x ~  peq
 y ~  peq (5)
 xy ~ 0
It is easy to show that in that case the horizontal strain εx at great depths is non-zero and since
horizontal displacements are unlimited. The proper constant value of Δσx is added making horizontal
displacement limited.

3.3. Displacement analysis

The expressions for displacements [16] read

2Gu  (1  2 ) Re Z  y Im Z (6)
2Gv  (1  2 ) Im Z  y Re Z (7)
where u and v are horizontal and vertical displacements; G and ν —shear modulus and Poisson ratio
correspondingly; Z is the integral of Z. Terms proportional to Δσx will be added later. It should be
noted that problems considered above are symmetrical about the x-axis. But symmetry of stresses and
strains does not necessary result in displacement symmetry; that will be the case below.
It is easy to obtain from (1) that
peql 1 sin( z / d ) 
Z  sin    const (8)
  sin( l / d ) 
From equations (7) and (8) for z = 0 – it, where t → +∞ it is possible to obtain
1  2 (1   ) peqd
v(0,t ) ~ v(0,0)  peqt  ln sin( l / d ) (9)
2G G
The value of v(0,0) is non-zero because of constant displacements adding (see sub-section 3.1).
All the analyses in this section correspond to homogeneous plane and half-plane with elastic
constants corresponding to the top of layer in the original problem; the zero argument is omitted.

4. One-dimensional problem for non-uniform layer (outer expansion)

and asymptotic solution of punch displacement

4.1. One-dimensional problem for non-uniform layer

The outer expansion is taken from the one-dimensional problem for non-uniform layer shown on
Fig. 1, c. It reads
t
1   ( )1  2 ( )d
v(0,t )   peq

H
1   ( )E ( )
(10)

If the soil is piecewise homogeneous the integral in equation (10) becomes a finite sum.
For small t
15th IACMAG www. 15iacmag.org
19-23 October 2017, Wuhan, China

v(0,t ) ~ S0  S1t (11)

where S0 is the layer settlement under the uniform pressure peq

1   ( )1  2 ( )d
0
S 0  peq

H
1   ( )E ( )
(12)

S1 
1   (0)1  2 (0) (13)
1   (0)E (0)
4.2. Displacement asymptotic analysis and punch displacement

The expressions (9) and (11) must be equal according to the method of matched asymptotic
expansions. Linear terms are always equal after the correction of inner expansion (see sub-section 3.2).
For the constant terms
[1   (0)] peq d
 S 0  v(0,0)  ln sin( l / d ) (14)
G(0)
The equation (14) may be rearranged giving the desired result for punch settlement:
 v(0,0)  S0  S (15)
where positive addition to the settlement is
[1   (0)] peqd
S   ln sin( l / d ) (16)
G(0)

5. Analysis of asymptotic solution

5.1. Comparison with uniform load

In other terms the result may be written as

[1   (0) 2 ]
S  N (17)
E (0)
where additional nondimensional factor for the additional settlement is
2
   ln sin( l / d ) (18)

Equation (17) has the same form as the result for maximum displacement under periodic uniform
load [7]. The two solutions may be compared (see Fig. 3). In both cases the dependence of ω on 2l/d
is nearly logarithmic and additional settlement for punches is less then settlement under centres of
uniform loads. This phenomenon may be explained by contact pressure concentration under the edges
of punches and stress diminishing under their centres. For 2l/d = 0 the entire layer surface is loaded,
so load discrete nature is not expressed, additional settlements vanish and ω = 0 for the both cases.

5.2. Comparison with numerical solution for non-uniform layer

The solution is verified by comparison with a finite element solution. Non-homogeneous layer of
finite thickness H = 10 is taken. The layer is composed of two sub-layers; the thickness of the both
is 5 and ν = 1/3. Elastic moduli are E = 1 for the top sub-layer and E = 2 for the bottom one.
The comparison of results obtained by COMSOL 3.5a finite element package and by the above
method is shown on Fig. 4. High accuracy is obtained; that must be attributed partly to layer’s
considerable thickness: H/d = 10.
15th IACMAG www. 15iacmag.org
19-23 October 2017, Wuhan, China

0
0.01 0.1 1
2l/d
Fig. 3. Additional settlement non-dimensional factors
solid line — punches
dashed line — uniform loads

S 5.5

5 S0

4.5
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

2l/d
Fig. 4. Example of settlement calculation
solid line —asymptotic method
circles —finite element method
15th IACMAG www. 15iacmag.org
19-23 October 2017, Wuhan, China

5.3. Combined foundation

The additional settlement due to discrete contact may be interpreted as an addition of a layer of
Winkler springs. Such a type of foundation was proposed earlier [14]. The obtained results provide us
with the formula for the Winkler modulus of subgrade reaction
E (0)
ks  (20)
d [1   (0) 2 ]
Such reduction of dimensionality in contact mechanics was studied earlier by approximate
approaches [12].

6. Conclusions

The results obtained in the paper makes it possible to avoid cumbersome modelling of big number
of identical structural elements (strip footings, soldier piles etc.) with cross-section dimensions much
smaller than soil mass dimensions. Proper account for discrete contact may be achieved by putting
Winkler springs between structural elements and soil. The modulus of subgrade reaction is calculated
by the simple formula obtained in the paper.
The problem statement is linear. Nonlinear effects may be significant in case of substantial loads;
it must be localised near contact due to stress concentration under punches. It is supposed that that the
results of the paper may be extended to nonlinear problems resulting in nonlinear Winkler springs.

References

[1] Argatov II, Dmitriev NN. Fundamentals of the theory of elastic discrete contacts. St. Petersburg:
Politekhnika; 2003. (In Russian).
[2] Block JM, Keer LM. Periodic contact problems in plane elasticity. Journal of Mechanics of
Materials and Structures 2008; 3: 1207-123.
[3] Dal YuM, Pronina YuG. On concentrated forces and moments in elastic half-plane. Proceedings
of Russian Academy of Science. Solid Mechanics 1998; 5: 78-87. (In Russian).
[4] Davydov SS. Analysis and design of underground structures. Moscow: Stroyizdat; 1950.
(In Russian).
[5] Goryacheva I. Contact mechanics in tribology. Dordrecht: Kluwer; 1998.
[6] Grekov MA. Green’s functions for elastic halfplane periodic problems. Proceedings of Russian
Academy of Science. Solid Mechanics 1998; 3: 173-178. (In Russian).
[7] Kholmyansky ML. Toward modelling discrete soil-structure contact. In: Proceedings of the 11-th
Int. Conf. on Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics. Torino; 19-24 June 2005.
[8] Kholmyansky ML. Analysis of bed displacements under a periodic load. Soil Mechanics and
Foundation Engineering 2007; 44: 151-157.
[9] Lekesiz H, Katsube N, Rokhlin SI, Seghi RR. Effective Spring Stiffness for a Planar Periodic
Array of Collinear Cracks at an Interface between Two Dissimilar Isotropic Materials. Mech
Mater 2011; 43: 87–98
[10] Muskhelishvili NI. Some basic problems of the mathematical theory of elasticity. Groningen:
Noordhoff; 1963.
[11] Nayfeh AH. Perturbation methods. New York: Wiley; 1973.
[12] Popov VL. Contact mechanics and friction. Physical principles and applications. Berlin:
Springer; 2010.
[13] Sheynin VI. Recurrent construction of precise solution of the problem of beam on periodically
inhomgeneous foundation. Structural mechanics and calculation of structures 1971; 4: 38-39. (In
Russian).
[14] Shtaerman IYa. Contact problem of the theory of elasticity. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,
Ohio: Foreign technology division, 1970.
[15] Ter-Martirosyan ZG. Prediction of the stress state in a soil mass of limited thickness and width
under local loading. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering 1996; 33: 85–89.
[16] Westergaard MH. Bearing pressures and cracks. J Appl Mech 1939; 6: 49–53.