Load diffusion from a cylindrical block embedded in a thick elastic layer

Abstract

We present in this paper a solution of the bonded punch problem of a rigid cylindrical block embedded in an elastic layer, lying on a rigid substratum. We assume that the embedment is through the depth of the layer, with a small recess at the bottom of the block, so that when loaded at the top, the block can move in downward direction. By adopting a two-way separation of variables in the Neuber-Papkovich potentials - a procedure used for three-dimensional stresses in finite cylinders and layers with holes - we reduce the problem to the solution of an infinite system of algebraic equations. We study, in particular, the diffusion of load from the block into the elastic layer. A numerical example reveals convergence difficulty in computation in the immediate vicinity of the block. This is attributed to the presence of singularities along the circular edges of the layer.