On the use of infinite elements in the analysis of two-dimensional layered elastic systems via discretized integral equations

A boundary integral equation approach is presented for the two-dimensional plane strain analysis of horizontally layered elastic systems resting on a rough and rigid base. The validity of Somigliana identity for unbounded layers is discussed and an Infinite Boundary Element is proposed in order to take into account the lateral unboundedness of the physical problem in the discretized equations. This element is implemented in a computer code based on a successive stiffness solution procedure. A series of numerical tests concerning single- and multi-layered problems is illustrated, and the performance of the proposed solution method is compared with that of more traditional boundary element and finite element techniques.