9.1.

Introduction
In the problems involving beams previously considered, support was provided at a number of
discrete loc ations, and the beam was usually assumed to suffer no deflection at these
points of support. We now explore the case of a prismatic beam supported continuously
along its length by a foundation, itself assumed to experienc e elastic deformation. We shall
take the reaction forces of the elastic foundation to be linearly proportional to the beam
deflec tion at any point. This simple analytical model of a continuous elastic foundation is
often referred to as the Winkler model.

The foregoing assumption not only leads to equations amenable to solution but also
represents an idealization closely approximating many real situations. Examples include a
railroad trac k, where the elastic support consists of the cross ties, the ballast, and the
subgrade; c oncrete footings on an earth foundation; long steel pipes resting on earth or on
a series of elastic springs; ship hulls; or a bridgedeck or floor structure consisting of a
network of closely spaced bars.
9.2. General Theory
Let us consider a beam on elastic foundation subjec t to a variable loading, as depicted
in Fig. 9.1. The force q per unit length, resisting the displac ement of the beam, is equal to
kv. Here v is the beam deflection, positive downward as in the figure. The
quantity k represents a c onstant, usually referred to as the modulus of the
foundation, possessing the dimensions of forc e per unit length of beam per unit of deflection
(for example, newtons per square meter or pascals).

Figure 9.1. Beam on elastic (Winkler) foundation.

The analysis of a beam whose length is very much greater than its depth and width serves
as the basis of the treatment of all beams on elastic foundations. Referring again to Fig.
9.1, which shows a beam of constant section supported by an elastic foundation, the x axis
passes through the c entroid, and the y axis is a princ ipal axis of the c ross sec tion. The
deflec tion v, subject to reac tion q and applied load per unit length p, for a c ondition of small
slope, must satisfy the beam equation:

Equation 9.1

For those parts of the beam on which no distributed load acts, p = 0, and Eq. (9.1) takes
the form

Equation 9.2

It will suffic e to consider the general solution of Eq. (9.2) only, requiring the addition of a
particular integral to satisfy Eq. (9.1) as well. Selec ting v = eax as a trial solution, it is
found that Eq. (9.2) is satisfied if

requiring that

a = (1 i)
where

Equation 9.3

The general solution of Eq. (9.2) may now be written as

Equation 9.4

where A, B, C, and D are the constants of integration.

In the developments that follow, the c ase of a single load acting on an infinitely long beam
is treated first. The solution of problems involving a variety of loading c ombinations will then
rely on the principle of superposition.
9.3. Infinite Beams
Consider an infinitely long beam resting on a c ontinuous elastic foundation, loaded by a
concentrated forc e P (Fig. 9.2). The variation of the reaction kv is unknown, and the
equations of static equilibrium are not sufficient for its determination. The problem is
therefore static ally indeterminate and requires additional formulation, whic h is available from
the equation of the deflection c urve of the beam. Owing to beam symmetry, only that
portion to the right of the load P need be considered. The two boundary c onditions for this
segment are deduced from the fac t that as x , the deflec tion and all derivatives
of v with respect to x must vanish. On this basis, it is c lear that the constants A and B in
Eq. (9.4) must equal zero. What remains is

Equation 9.5

Figure 9.2. Infinite beam on an elastic foundation and loaded at the origin.

The conditions applicable a very small distance to the right of P are

Equation a

where the minus sign is c onsistent with the general c onvention adopted in Section 1.3.
Substitution of Eq. (a) into Eq. (9.5) yields

Introduction of the expressions for the c onstants into Eq. (9.5) provides the following
equation, applicable to an infinite beam subjec t to a concentrated forc e P at midlength:

Equation 9.6a

or
Equation 9.6b

Equation (9.6b) indic ates clearly that the c harac teristic of the deflection is an exponential
dec ay of a sine wave of wavelength

To simplify the equations for deflection, rotation, moment, and shear, the following
notations and relations are introduced:

Equation 9.7

Table 9.1 lists numeric al values of the foregoing func tions for various values of the
argument x. The solution of Eq. (9.5) for spec ific problems is facilitated by this table and
the graphs of the func tions of x [Ref. 9.1]. Equation (9.6) and its derivatives, together
with Eq. (9.7), yield the following expressions for deflection, slope, moment, and shearing
force:

Equation 9.8

Table 9.1. Selected Values of the Functions Defined by Eqs. (9.7)

x f1(x) f2(x) f3(x) f4(x)

0 1 0 1 1
0.02 0.9996 0.0196 0.9604 0.9800

0.04 0.9984 0.0384 0.9216 0.9600

0.05 0.9976 0.0476 0.9025 0.9501

0.10 0.9907 0.0903 0.8100 0.9003

0.20 0.9651 0.1627 0.6398 0.8024

0.30 0.9267 0.2189 0.4888 0.7077

0.40 0.8784 0.2610 0.3564 0.6174

0.50 0.8231 0.2908 0.2415 0.5323

0.60 0.7628 0.3099 0.1431 0.4530

0.70 0.6997 0.3199 0.0599 0.3798

/4 0.6448 0.3224 0 0.3224

0.80 0.6354 0.3223 0.0093 0.3131

0.90 0.5712 0.3185 0.0657 0.2527

1.00 0.5083 0.3096 0.1108 0.1988

1.10 0.4476 0.2967 0.1457 0.1510

1.20 0.3899 0.2807 0.1716 0.1091

1.30 0.3355 0.2626 0.1897 0.0729

1.40 0.2849 0.2430 0.2011 0.0419

1.50 0.2384 0.2226 0.2068 0.0158

/2 0.2079 0.2079 0.2079 0

1.60 0.1959 0.2018 0.2077 0.0059

1.70 0.1576 0.1812 0.2047 0.0235

1.80 0.1234 0.1610 0.1985 0.0376

1.90 0.0932 0.1415 0.1899 0.0484

2.00 0.0667 0.1231 0.1794 0.0563

2.20 0.0244 0.0896 0.1548 0.0652

3/4 0 0.0670 0.1340 0.0670

2.40 0.0056 0.0613 0.1282 0.0669

2.60 0.0254 0.0383 0.1019 0.0636

2.80 0.0369 0.0204 0.0777 0.0573

3.00 0.0423 0.0070 0.0563 0.0493

0.0432 0 0.0432 0.0432

3.20 0.0431 0.0024 0.0383 0.0407

3.40 0.0408 0.0085 0.0237 0.0323

3.60 0.0366 0.0121 0.0124 0.0245

3.80 0.0314 0.0137 0.0040 0.0177

5/4 0.0279 0.0139 0 0.0139

4.00 0.0258 0.0139 0.0019 0.0120

4.50 0.0132 0.0108 0.0085 0.0023

3/2 0.0090 0.0090 0.0090 0

5.00 0.0046 0.0065 0.0084 0.0019

7/4 0 0.0029 0.0058 0.0029

6.00 0.0017 0.0007 0.0031 0.0024

2 0.0019 0 0.0019 0.0019

6.50 0.0018 0.0003 0.0012 0.0018

7.00 0.0013 0.0006 0.0001 0.0007

9/4 0.0012 0.0006 0 0.0006

7.50 0.0007 0.0005 0.0003 0.0002

5/2 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0

These expressions are valid for x 0.

Example 9.1. Long Beam with a Partial Uniform Load

A very long rectangular beam of width 0.1 m and depth 0.15 m (Fig. 9.3) is
subject to a uniform loading over 4 m of its length of p = 175 kN/m. The beam is
supported on an elastic foundation having a modulus k = 14 MPa. Derive an
expression for the deflec tion at an arbitrary point Q within length L. Calc ulate
the maximum deflec tion and the maximum force per unit length between beam
and foundation. Use E = 200 GPa.

Figure 9.3. Example 9.1. Uniformly distributed load segment on an infinite

beam on an Elastic foundation.

Solution
The deflec tion v at point Q due to the load Px = p dx is, from Eq. (9.8);

The deflec tion at point Q resulting from the entire distributed load is then

or

Equation b

Although the algebraic sign of the distanc e a in Eq. (b) is negative, in

acc ordanc e with the placement of the origin in Fig. 9.3, we shall treat it as a
positive number because Eq. (9.8) gives the deflection for positive x only. This is
justified on the basis that the beam deflection under a c oncentrated load is the
same at equal distanc es from the load, whether these distanc es are positive or
negative. By the use of Eq. (9.3),

From this value of , L = (0.888)(4) = 3.552 = (a + b). We are interested in

the maximum deflec tion and therefore loc ate the origin at point Q, the c enter of
the distributed loading. Now a and b represent equal lengths, so a = b =
1.776, and Eq. (b) gives

The maximum force per unit of length between beam and foundation is
then kvmax = 14 106(0.0129) = 180.6 kN/m.

Example 9.2. Long Beam with a Moment

A very long beam is supported on an elastic foundation and is subjected to a

c oncentrated moment Mo (Fig. 9.4). Determine the equations describing the
deflection, slope, moment, and shear.

Figure 9.4. Example 9.2. Infinite beam resting on an elastic foundation

 subjected to M.

Solution

Observe that the couple P e is equivalent to Mo for the case in

whic h e approac hes zero (indicated by the dashed lines in the figure). Applying
Eq. (9.8), we have therefore

Succ essive differentiation yields

Equation 9.9

whic h are the deflection, slope, moment, and shear, respectively.

9.4. Semi-Infinite Beams
The theory of Section 9.3 is now applied to a semi-infinite beam, having one end at the
origin and the other extending indefinitely in a positive x direction, as in Fig. 9.5. At x = 0,
the beam is subjec ted to a concentrated load P and a moment MA . The
constants C and D of Eq. (9.5) can be asc ertained by applying the following c onditions at
the left end of the beam:

EIv = MA , EIv = V = P

Figure 9.5. Semi-infinite end-loaded beam on elastic foundation.

The results are

The deflec tion is now found by substituting C and D into Eq. (9.5) as

Equation 9.10

At x = 0,

Equation 9.11

Finally, suc cessively differentiating Eq. (9.10) yields expressions for slope, moment, and
shear:

Equation 9.12
Application of these equations together with the principle of superposition permits the
solution of more c omplex problems, as is illustrated next.

Example 9.3. Semi-Infinite Beam with a Concentrated Load Near Its End

Determine the equation of the deflection curve of a semi-infinite beam on an

elastic foundation loaded by concentrated forc e P a distanc e c from the free end
(Fig. 9.6a).

Figure 9.6. Example 9.3. Semi-infinite beam on an elastic foundation

under load P.

Solution

The problem may be restated as the sum of the cases shown in Figs.
9.6b and c. Applying Eqs. (9.8) and the c onditions of symmetry, the reac tions
appropriate to the infinite beam of Fig. 9.6b are

Equation a
Superposition of the deflections of Fig. 9.6b and c [see Eqs. (9.8) and (9.12)]
results in

[Vie w full size im age ]

Introducing Eqs. (a) into this, the following expression for deflection, applic able
for positive x, is obtained:

This is clearly applicable for negative x as well, provided that x is replaced

by |x|.

Example 9.4. Semi-Infinite Beam Loaded at Its End

A 2-m-long steel bar (E = 210 GPa) of 75-mm by 75-mm square cross section
rests with a side on a rubber foundation (k = 24 MPa). If a concentrated
load P = 20 kN is applied at the left end of the beam (Fig. 9.5), determine (a)
the maximum deflec tion and (b) the maximum bending stress.

Solution

Applying Eq. (9.3), we have

Inasmuch as pL = 1.814(2) = 3.638 > 3, the beam can be c onsidered to be a

long beam (see Sec. 9.4); Eqs. (9.12) with MA = 0 thus apply.

a. The maximum deflec tion oc curs at the left end for which f4(x) is a
maximum or x = 0. The first of Eqs. (9.12) is therefore

b. Referring to Table 9.1, f2(x) has its maximum of 0.3224 at x = /4.

Using the third of Eqs. (9.12),

The maximum stress in the beam is obtained from the flexure formula:
The location of this stress is at x = /4 = 433 mm from the left end.
9.5. Finite Beams
The bending of a finite beam on elastic foundation may also be treated by applic ation of the
general solution, Eq. (9.4). In this instance, four c onstants of integration must be
evaluated. To ac complish this, two boundary c onditions at each end may be applied, usually
resulting in rather lengthy formulations. Results have been obtained applying this approac h
and are tabulated for numerous cases.[*]
[*] For a de tailed pre se nta tion of a num ber of pra ctica l problem s, se e R e fs. 9.1 through 9.3.

An alternative approach to the solution of problems of finite beams with simply supported
and c lamped ends employs equations derived for infinite and semi-infinite beams, together
with the princ iple of superposition. The use of this method was demonstrated in connection
with semi-inverse beams in Example 9.3. Energy methods can also be employed in the
analysis of beams whose ends are subjected to any type of support conditions [Ref. 9.4].
Solution by trigonometric series results in formulas that are particularly simple, as will be
seen in Example 10.12. Design tables for short beams with free ends on elastic foundation
have been provided by Iyengar and Ramu [Ref. 9.5].

Let us consider a finite beam on an elastic foundation, centrally loaded by a conc entrated
force P (Fig. 9.7) and c ompare the deflec tions occ urring at the center and end of the
beam. Note that the beam deflec tion is symmetrical with respec t to C.

Figure 9.7. Comparison of the center and end deflections of a finite beam on an
elastic foundation subjected to a concentrated center load.

The appropriate boundary c onditions are, for x 0, v(L/2) = 0, EIv
(L/2) = P/2, EIv (0) =
0, and EIv
(0) = 0. Substituting these into the proper derivatives of Eq. (9.4) leads to four
equations with unknown constants A, B, C, and D. After routine but somewhat lengthy
algebraic manipulation, the following expressions are determined:

Equation 9.13
Equation 9.14

From Eqs. (9.13) and (9.14), we have

Equation 9.15

This result is sketc hed in Fig. 9.7.

9.6. Classification of Beams
The plot of Eq. (9.15) permits the establishment of a stiffness c riterion for beams resting on
elastic foundation. It also serves well to readily disc ern a rationale for the classific ation of
beams on elastic foundation. Referring to Fig. 9.7, we c onc lude that

1. Short beams, L < 1: Inasmuch as the end deflection is essentially equal to that at
the center, the deflec tion of the foundation can be determined to good ac curacy by
regarding the beam as infinitely rigid.

2. Intermediate beams, 1 < L < 3: In this region, the influenc e of the central forc e at
the ends of the beam is substantial, and the beam must be treated as finite in length.

3. Long beams, L > 3: It is clear from the figure that the ends are not affec ted
appreciably by the central loading. Therefore, if we are c onc erned with one end of the
beam, the other end or the middle may be regarded as being an infinite distance
away; that is, the beam may be treated as infinite in length.

The foregoing groups do not relate only to the special case of loading shown in Fig. 9.7 but
are quite general. Should greater acc uracy be required, the upper limit of group 1 may be
plac ed at L = 0.6 and the lower limit of group 3 at L = 5.
9.7. Beams Supported by Equally Spaced Elastic Elements
In the event that a long beam is supported by individual elastic elements, as in Fig. 9.8a,
the problem is simplified if the separate supports are replaced by an equivalent c ontinuous
elastic foundation. To ac complish this, it is assumed that the distanc e abetween eac h
support and the next is small, and that the concentrated reac tions Ri = Kv i are replaced by
equivalent uniform or stepped distributed forc es shown by the dashed lines of Fig. 9.8b.
Here K represents a spring constant (for example, newtons per meter).

Figure 9.8. Infinite beam supported by equally spaced elastic springs. Loading
diagram: (a) with concentrated reactions; (b) with average continuous reaction
force distribution.

For prac tical calculations, the usual limitation is a /4. The average c ontinuous reac tion
force distribution is shown by the solid line in the figure. The intensity of the latter
distribution is asc ertained as follows:

or

Equation a

where the foundation modulus of the equivalent c ontinuous elastic support is

Equation 9.16

The solution for the c ase of a beam on individual elastic support is then obtained through
the use of Eq. 9.2, in which the value of k is that given by Eq. (9.16).
Example 9.5. Finite-Length Beam with a Concentrated Load Supported by Springs

A series of springs, spac ed so that a = 1.5 m, supports a long thin-walled steel

tube having E = 206.8 GPa. A weight of 6.7 kN acts down at midlength of the
tube. The average diameter of the tube is 0.1 m, and the moment of inertia of
its section is 6 106 m4. Take the spring constant of eac h support to be K =
10 kN/m. Find the maximum moment and the maximum deflec tion, assuming
negligible tube weight.

Solution

Applying Eqs. (9.3) and (9.16), we obtain

From Eq. (9.8),

9.8. Simplified Solutions for Relatively Stiff Beams
Examination of the analyses of the previous sections and of Fig. 9.7 leads us to conclude
that the distribution of force ac ting on the beam by the foundation is, in general, a
nonlinear function of the beam length coordinate. This distribution approac hes linearity as
the beam length decreases or as the beam becomes stiffer. Reasonably good results can be
expected, therefore, by assuming a linearized elastic foundation pressure for stiff beams.
The foundation pressure is then predicated on beam displacement in the manner of a rigid
body [Ref. 9.6], and the reaction is, as a consequence, statically determinate.

To illustrate the approach, c onsider once more the beam of Fig. 9.7, this time with a
linearized foundation pressure (Fig. 9.9). Because of loading symmetry, the foundation
pressure is, in this case, not only linear but constant as well. We shall compare the results
thus obtained with those found earlier.

The exac t theory states that points E and C deflect in accordanc e with Eqs. (9.13) and
(9.14). The relative deflec tion of these points is simply

Equation a

Figure 9.9. Relatively stiff finite beam on elastic foundation and loaded at the center.

For the simplified load configuration shown in Fig. 9.9, the relative beam deflection may be
determined by c onsidering the elementary solution for a beam subjected to a uniformly
distributed loading and a concentrated forc e. For this case, we label the relative
deflec tion v1 as follows:

Equation b

The ratio of the relative deflections obtained by the exact and approximate analyses now
serves to indicate the validity of the approximations. Consider

Equation c
where v and v 1 are given by Eqs. (a) and (b). The trigonometric and hyperbolic functions
may be expanded as follows:

Equation d

Introducing these into Eq. (c), we obtain

Equation e

Substituting various values of L into Eq. (e) discloses that, for L < 1.0, v/v1 differs from
unity by no more than 1%, and the linearization is seen to yield good results. It c an be
shown that for values of L < 1, the ratio of the moment (or slope) obtained by the
linearized analysis to that obtained from the exact analysis differs from unity by less than
1%.

Analysis of a finite beam, centrally loaded by a concentrated moment, also reveals results
similar to those given here. We conclude, therefore, that when L is small (< 1.0) no
significant error is introduced by assuming a linear distribution of foundation pressure.
9.9. Solution by Finite Differences
Bec ause of the c onsiderable time and effort required in the analytical solution of practic al
problems involving beams on elastic foundations, approximate methods employing numeric al
analysis are frequently applied. A solution utilizing the method of finite differenc es is
illustrated in the next example.

Figure 9.10. Example 9.6. (a) Uniformly loaded beam on an elastic foundation; (b)
deflection curve for m = 2; (c) deflection curve for m = 3.

Example 9.6. Finite Beam under Uniform Loading

Determine the deflection of the built-in beam on an elastic foundation shown

in Fig. 9.10a. The beam is subjec ted to a uniformly distributed loading p and is
simply supported at x = L.

Solution

The deflec tion is governed by Eq. (9.1), for which the applic able boundary
c onditions are

Equation a

The solution will be obtained by replacing Eqs. (9.1) and (a) by a system of
finite difference equations. It is convenient to first transform Eq. (9.1) into
dimensionless form through the introduction of the following quantities:
The deflec tion equation is therefore

Equation b

We next divide the interval of z(0, 1) into n equal parts of length h = 1/m,
where m represents an integer. Multiplying Eq. (b) by h4 = 1/m4, we have

Equation c

Employing Eq. (7.23), Eq. (c) assumes the following finite differenc e form:

Equation d

Upon setting C = kL4/EI, this bec omes

Equation e

The boundary conditions, Eqs. (a), are transformed into difference c onditions by
employing Eq. (7.4):

Equation f

Equations (e) and (f) represent the set required for a solution, with the degree
of acc uracy inc reased as the magnitude of m is inc reased. Any desired acc uracy
c an thus be attained.

For purposes of illustration, let k = 2.1 MPa, E = 200 GPa, I = 3.5 104 m4, L =
3.8 m, and p = 540 kN/m. Determine the deflections for m = 2, m = 3, and m =
4. Equation (e) thus bec omes

Equation g
For m = 2, the deflec tion curve, satisfying Eq. (f), is sketc hed in Fig. 9.10b.

At z = , we have vn = v1. Equation (g) then yields

from which v 1 = 16 mm.

For m = 3, the deflec tion curve satisfying Eq. (f) is now as in Fig. 9.10c. Hence,

Eq. (g) at (by setting vn= v1) and at (by setting vn = v2) leads to

from which v 1 = 9 mm and v2 = 11 mm.

For m = 4, a similar procedure yields v1 = 5.3 mm, v2 = 9.7 mm, and v 3 = 7.5
mm.
9.10. Applications
The theory of beams on elastic foundation is applic able to many problems of practic al
importance, of which one is disc ussed next. The c onc ept of a beam on elastic foundation
may also be employed to approximate stress and deflection in axisymmetric ally loaded
cylindrical shells, to be discussed in Chapter 13. The governing equations of the two
problems are of the same form. This means that solutions of one problem become solutions
of the other problem through a simple c hange of c onstants [Ref. 9.7].

Grid Configurations of Beams

The ability of a floor to sustain extreme loads without undue deflec tion, as in a mac hine
shop, is signific antly enhanc ed by combining the floor beams in a particular array or grid
configuration. Such a design is illustrated in the ensuing problem.

Example 9.7. Machine Room Floor

A single conc entrated load P ac ts at the center of a machine room floor composed of 79
transverse beams (spac ed a = 0.3 m apart) and one longitudinal beam, as shown in Fig.
9.11. If all beams have the same modulus of rigidity EI, determine the deflec tion and the
distribution of load over the various transverse beams supporting the longitudinal beam.
Assume that the transverse and longitudinal beams are attac hed so that they deform
together.

Solution

The spring c onstant K of an individual elastic support such as beam AA is

Figure 9.11. Example 9.7. Long beam supported by several identical and equally
spaced cross-beams. All beams are simply supported at their ends.
where vC is the c entral deflection of a simply supported beam of length Lt carrying a
c enter load RC. From Eq. (9.16), the modulus k of the equivalent continuous elastic
foundation is found to be

Thus,

and

In acc ordance with the c riteria discussed in Sections 9.4 and 9.5, the longitudinal beam
may be classified as a long beam resting on a c ontinuous elastic support of modulus k.
Consequently, from Eqs. (9.8), the deflec tion at midspan is

The deflec tion of a transverse beam depends on its distance x from the c enter of the
longitudinal beam, as shown in the following tabulation:

x 0 2a 4a 6a 8a 10a 12a 16a 20a 24a

f 1(x) 1 0.881 0.643 0.401 0.207 0.084 0.0002 0.043 0.028 0.009

v vP 0.881vP 0.643vP 0.401vP 0.207vP 0.084v P

0.0002vP 0.043vP 0.028vP 0.009vP

We are now in a position to calculate the load Rcc supported by the central transverse
beam. Sinc e the midspan deflec tion vM of the central transverse beam is equal to vP , we
have

and

The remaining transverse beam loads are now readily calculated on the basis of the
deflections in the previous tabulation, recalling that the loads are linearly proportional to
the deflec tions.
We observe that, beyond beam 11, it is possible for a transverse beam to be pulled up as
a result of the central loading. This is indic ated by the negative value of the deflec tion.
The longitudinal beam thus serves to decrease transverse beam deflection only if it is
suffic iently rigid.