Analytical and numerical solution of the elastodynamic strip load problem

Analytical and numerical solutions of the elastodynamic problem of an instantaneous strip load on a half space are presented and compared. The analytical solution is obtained using the De Hoop–Cagniard method, and the numerical solution is obtained using the dynamic module of the finite element package Plaxis. The purpose of the paper is to validate the numerical solution by comparison with a completely analytical solution, and to verify that the main characteristics of the analytical solution are also obtained in the numerical solution. Particular attention is paid to the magnitude, the velocity, and the shape of the Rayleigh wave disturbances. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.