Nonlinear Response of Infinite Beams on Reinforced Earth Beds under Moving Loads

In this study, infinite beams have been analyzed under the action of moving loads considering nonlinear behavior and the viscous damping of supporting poor soil subgrade system. The beam is resting on geosynthetic reinforced granular fill overlying a relatively poor soil and subjected to a concentrated load moving with a constant velocity. The granular fill layer has been modeled as Pasternak Shear layer and the geosynthetic layer as a rough elastic membrane. The poor soil lying below the granular fill has been idealized by nonlinear Winkler springs. A detailed parametric study has been undertaken to understand the influence of applied moving load, velocity of load, viscous damping and compressibility of granular fill on the response of soil-foundation system. The study clearly highlights that the response of system is greatly affected by magnitude and velocity of applied load, viscous damping and ultimate resistance of poor soil.