Analysis of beams on tensionless reinforced granular fill‐soil system

In this paper, a beam subjected to end concentrated loads has been modeled and analyzed to estimate its flexural response. The beam has been assumed to rest on reinforced earth beds with reinforcing elements having some finite bending stiffness. The reinforcing elements have been idealized as beams with smooth surface characteristics. The foundation system has been assumed to react only in compression (tensionless foundation), i.e. the separation between the upper beam and the ground surface has been taken into consideration. Winkler springs of different stiffnesses have been used to idealize the upper dense and lower poor soils. As the analysis considers the separation between the upper beam and the soil, the weight of the upper beam has been taken into account. The governing differential equations have been derived and presented in a non‐dimensional form. These equations have been solved using finite difference method with the help of appropriate boundary and continuity conditions. The response of the foundation system has been compared with the case when the beam is in perfect contact with the ground surface. The parametric study shows that the response of the model is greatly affected by the length ratio of beams, ratio of stiffness of upper and lower soil layers, ratio of flexural rigidity of upper and lower beams and weight of the upper foundation beam. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.