| Abstract: | The elastostatic analysis of layered systems (such as a soil consisting of a set of L individually homogeneous strata) is tackled here on the basis of discretized boundary integral equations (boundary element method). By exploiting the peculiar chain-like pattern of the system, a recursive formula is obtained which generates economically a ‘stiffness matrix’ of the first n layers (from bottom) at the upper interface with the subsequent layer (n = 1…L). The ‘successive stiffness’ method proposed is shown to imply noteworthy advantages with respect to both the standard boundary element method by zones (or subregions) and another ad hoc, earlier method resting on a boundary element approach combined with the transfer matrix concept. This conclusion is corroborated by two-dimensional examples. |
