A coupled BEM-stiffness matrix approach for analysis of shear deformable plates on elastic half space

In this paper, a new direct Boundary Element Method (BEM) is presented to solve plates on elastic half space (EHS). The considered BEM is based on the formulation of Vander Weeën for the shear deformable plate bending theory of Reissner. The considered EHS is the infinite EHS of Boussinesq–Mindlin or the finite EHS (with rigid end layer) of Steinbrenner. The multi-layered EHS is also considered. In the present formulation, the soil stiffness matrix is computed. Hence, this stiffness matrix is directly incorporated inside the developed BEM. Several numerical examples are considered and results are compared against previously published analytical and numerical methods to validate the present formulation.