Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. A Phys. Sci.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40010-017-0479-x
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Transient Vibrations of a Half-Space Under a Massive Line
Loading
S. Asadollahi1 • M. Dehestani1
Received: 20 May 2015 / Revised: 2 June 2017 / Accepted: 6 December 2017
Ó The National Academy of Sciences, India 2018
Abstract Dynamic response of a half-space subjected to
loads is of considerable practical interest for engineers and
scientists. Recent investigations demonstrated that the
inertial influences of moving loads are of importance in
some cases. Although there are several works on moving
inertial loads (masses), very few works were performed on
the interaction of a half-space and a stationary inertial
foundation on its surface. In this study, a new analytical–
numerical method has been used to investigate the vertical
interaction between a massive strip foundation and a
homogenous, isotropic elastic half-space. Navier’s equa-
tions of motion were transformed to a system of wave-type
partial differential equations using the Helmholtz resolu-
tion. The interactive tractions between the strip foundation
and the half-space were imposed to the problem as
boundary conditions. A concurrent two-sided and one-
sided Laplace integral transform was used for the wave
type partial differential equations subjected to the specific
boundary conditions and eventually the solution in trans-
formed form was obtained. In order to inverse the trans-
formed solution, the Cagniard–De Hoop method
accompanying a numerical procedure was implemented.
Final results revealed the influence of the inertia of the
massive strip foundation on the dynamic response of the
half-space.
& M. Dehestani
dehestani@nit.ac.ir
S. Asadollahi
sina.asdllhi@gmail.com
1 frequency range. Awojobi and Grootenhuis [4] obtained
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of
Technology, Postal Box 484, Babol 47148-71167, Islamic
Republic of Iran
Keywords Wave propagation  Inertia 
Integral transform  Steady-state response 
Parametric analysis
1 Introduction
Propagation of waves in a half-space is subject of intensive
research for engineers and scientists. This is mainly
because of its applications in design of machine founda-
tions, foundation of tracking radars and design of earth-
quake resistant foundations for buildings. In recent years,
significant progress in technologies induced wide range of
speeds, dynamic loads and operating conditions to the
foundations. To avoid any damage, mal-function and
unacceptable motions due to dynamic loads, rigorous
analysis and design are needed. Therefore, obtaining the
exact influences of these loads is of great importance.
Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted
to investigate wave propagation in ground. In a pioneering
work, Lamb [1] studied horizontal and vertical concen-
trated loads on an elastic isotropic half-space in 2D and 3D
cases. He used Fourier Integral transform in combination
with Bessel functions and contour integration in his ana-
lytical treatment. Vertical and torsional dynamic loads at
the surface of an elastic half-space with a circular contact
patch have been investigated by Reissner [2]. Between the
1950s and the 1960s, many researchers extended Reiss-
ner’s solution to study elastic half-space with various
modes of vibration and shaped loading areas [3–7].
Bycroft [3] derived the surface displacement for an
elastic half-space under static stress distribution for low
the dynamic stress distributions under the rigid circular and
strip footing. The solution was based on the dual integral
123

equations which are solved by a method of successive
approximation. Karasudhi et al. [5] determined the
response of a rigid strip foundation on an elastic,
homogenous half-plane. The Fredholm integral equation in
this problem was computed by numerical approach. The
steady-state response of the elastically supported rigid
circular disc was studied by Veletsos and Wei [6] for
harmonically varying horizontal and overturning forces.
The dynamic coupling compliances between the horizontal
and rocking motions of circular foundation resting on an
elastic half-space were investigated by Luco and West-
mann [7] for a wide range of dimensionless frequency.
In recent decades, significant research effort has gone
into identifying a more realistic half-space problem. Luco
[8] presented the steady state solution for vibrating circular
massless foundation laid on a layered elastic half-space.
The layered medium consists of an elastic layer with
constant depth, resting on an elastic half-space. The entire
displacement and stress field were gained by solving
Fredholm integral equations numerically. Awojobi and
Tabiowo [9] studied approximate solution for three
dimensional mixed boundary value problem of a rigid
rectangular cube vibrating on an elastic half-space. More
actual boundary conditions were imposed on the problem
in their study. Gazetas and Roesset [10] reported a semi-
analytical methodology for evaluating static and dynamic
responses on an elastic, isotropic medium consisting of
nonhomogeneous layers. Lin [11] considered the dynamic
response of a flexible circular foundation with vertical and
rocking motion resting on a viscoelastic half-space.
Gazetas [12] found the steady-state responses of a massless
rigid strip foundation at the surface of linearly viscoelastic,
homogeneous and isotropic layers resting on an elastic
half-space. Pak and Gobert [13] analyzed a massless rigid
disc embedded at finite depth in an elastic half-space
undergoing vertical excitation. They used Hankel integral
transform to reduce governing equations to Fredholm
integral equations. Guan and Novak [14] implemented
Laplace and Fourier transforms to find exact solution for
suddenly applied loading distributed over a rectangular
area on the surface of an elastic, homogeneous half-space.
The exact solution for vertical displacement due to impulse
excitation with a punch-like distribution by using Eason’s
method was obtained by Jin [15]. Jin and Liu [16] found
the exact solution for horizontal displacement due to
impulse excitation with a punch-like distribution by using
Cagniard–De Hoop technique. While Zhou et al. [17]
employed Laplace–Hankel transform to analyse transient
dynamic response of saturated soil under suddenly applied
normal and horizontal point loads. Senjuntichai and Sap-
sathiarn [18] found the responses due to time-harmonic
vertical load on thin elastic plate laid on multi-layered,
poroelastic half-space. They used thin plate theory and
123
S. Asadollahi, M. Dehestani
Lagrange’s equations of motion to achieve vertical dis-
placement. Senjuntichai et al. [19] studied embedded rigid
footing in homogeneous poroelastic half-space provoked
by dynamic load. Kausel [20] revisited Lamb’s problem to
obtain exact solution for all loading cases and Poisson’s
ratio.
1.1 Research Significance
Most of the existing analytical solutions for assessing
foundation–medium interaction are derived on the
assumption that the half-space is excited by loads and
consideration due to inertial effect is neglected. The exact
solution for the problem becomes much more difficult
when boundary conditions that state the foundation–med-
ium interaction and the governing equation of motion are
coupled. However, the inertial effect is one of the vital
ingredients in design of foundations without large, rigid
base slabs or deep embedment [21]. Analytical treatment
for evaluating inertial effect in mass–medium interaction
did not receive considerable attention. In this area, papers
by Dehestani et al. [22–24] examined the effect of the
inertia of the moving mass on a half-space.
To fill such a gap, the present paper deals with the study
of inertial interaction for a strip foundation on a homoge-
nous, isotropic elastic half-space mathematically. The
Navier’s equations of motion are changed to wave-type
equations using Helmholtz resolution. Then the specific
boundary conditions are imposed. The dynamic response of
the half-space is obtained by semi-analytical method which
is conducted by employing one and two sided Laplace
transforms in association with Cagniard–De Hoop
technique.
2 Problem Statement
The purpose of this study, as shown in Fig. 1, is to deter-
mine the dynamic responses of the homogenous isotropic
elastic half-space with no body forces under a plane-strain
condition subjected to a strip foundation at the surface,
y = 0. The foundation and half-space are initially at rest
condition. The contact patch area between the foundation
and the surface of the half-space is assumed to be small.
So, the strip foundation acts as an inertial line load.
The boundary conditions on y = 0 expressed in terms of
stress components as
ry ðx; 0; tÞ ¼  Pðx; tÞ dðxÞ ð1Þ
syx ¼ 0 ð2Þ
where d(x) and P(x, t) are the Dirac delta function and
amplitude of the transmitted load. The transmitted load is
Transient Vibrations of a Half-Space Under a Massive Line Loading

Using Hooke’s law and the strain–displacement rela-

tions, the stresses can be stated in terms of potential
functions as
 2   2 
o u o2 u o u o2 w
rx ¼ k þ þ 2l þ ð10Þ
ox2 oy2 ox2 oxoy
 2   2 
o u o2 u o u o2 w
ry ¼ k þ þ 2l  ð11Þ
ox2 oy2 oy2 oxoy
 2 
o u o2 w o2 w
syx ¼ l 2  þ ð12Þ
oxoy ox2 oy2

3 Problem Solution

3.1 Integral Transforms

Fig. 1 Strip foundation acting on half-space One sided Laplace transform over time and two sided
Laplace transform over the spatial coordinate x are defined
Pðx; tÞ ¼ mg  m€
mðx; 0; tÞ ð3Þ as
Z 1
In addition, all the stresses and displacements vanish at fðpÞ ¼ Lðf ðtÞÞ ¼ f ðtÞept dt ð13Þ
infinity. 0

Under the assumption of small displacement theory, the Z cþi1

1
governing equations of motion for the homogenous iso- f ðtÞ ¼ L1 ðf ðpÞÞ ¼ fðpÞept dp ð14Þ
2pi ci1
tropic elastic solid without body forces can be written as Z þ1
ðk þ lÞrr  u þ lr2 u ¼ qu€ ð4Þ f  ðeÞ ¼ Lðf ðxÞÞ ¼ ðxÞfeex dx ð15Þ
1
where k and l are Lame’s constants, u and q denote the Z e1 þi1
1
displacement vector and the density of half-space, f ðxÞ ¼ L1 ðf  ðeÞÞ ¼ ðeÞf  eex de ð16Þ
2pi e1 i1
respectively.
Using Helmholtz resolution, Navier’s equation can be It is assumed that in one and two sided Laplace transforms f
reduced to wave-type equations employing and its (n - 1) derivatives tend to zero as t ? ? ? and
ru þ r  ~
w¼u ð5Þ x ? ± ?, respectively. In addition, f and its (n - 1) first
derivatives are continuous and its nth derivation is
in which u and ~ w are scalar and vector valued functions, piecewise continuous. Hence,
respectively. Clearly, the displacement representation Lðf n ðtÞÞ ¼ pn Lðf ðtÞÞ ð17Þ
satisfies Eq. (3) if
n n
Lðf ðxÞÞ ¼ e Lðf ðxÞÞ ð18Þ
Du ¼ S2L u
€ ð6Þ
In order to employ the Cagniard–De Hoop method, the
€
Dw ¼ S2T w ð7Þ
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi qffiffi following form of two sided Laplace transform is used.
where SL ¼ kþ2l q
and ST ¼ ql are wave slownesses [25]. Z þ1

In the 2D case, the vector potential ~
w has only a single f ðpgÞ ¼ Lðf ðxÞÞ ¼ f ðxÞepgx dx ð19Þ
1
non-zero component in the outward direction. Therefore Z g1 þi1
the vector sign in Eq. (5) is removed. From Eq. (4), the 1  p
f ðxÞ ¼ L ðf ðpgÞÞ ¼ f  ðpgÞepgx dg ð20Þ
components of the displacement u can be expressed as 2pi g1 i1

ou ow Applying one and two sided Laplace transform to Eqs. (5)

u¼ þ ð8Þ
ox oy and (6) and imposing the initial and the far field boundary
ou ow conditions lead to
v¼  ð9Þ
oy ox  ðg; y; pÞ ¼ /ðp; gÞepcL y
u ð21Þ
where u, v are the displacement vector components in  ðg; y; pÞ ¼ Wðp; gÞepcT y
w ð22Þ
coordinate directions x and y, respectively.

123
 S. Asadollahi, M. Dehestani

1 1
" Z g1 þi1 #
where cL ¼ ðS2L  g2 Þ2 and cT ¼ ðS2T  g2 Þ2 .  pÞ
Pð0; 1 gðS2T  2g2 Þ pðgxcL yÞ
uðx; y; pÞ ¼  e dg
The corresponding transforms of the displacements and l 2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
" #
the stresses from Eqs. (8)–(12) are  pÞ 1 Z g1 þi1 2gcL cT pðgxc yÞ
Pð0;
u ðg; y; pÞ ¼ pgu 
  pc w ð23Þ þ e T
dg
T l 2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ

v ðg; y; pÞ ¼ pcL u 
  pgw ð24Þ ð35Þ
    " Z #
rx ðg; y; pÞ ¼ lp2 S2T  2S2L þ 2g2 u 
  2gcT w ð25Þ  pÞ 1 g1 þi1
Pð0; cL ðS2T  2g2 Þ pðgxcL yÞ
    vðx; y; pÞ ¼ e dg
ry ðg; y; pÞ ¼ lp2 S2T  2g2 u 
 þ 2gcT w ð26Þ l 2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
" #
   
  pÞ 1 Z g1 þi1 2g2 cL pðgxc yÞ
Pð0;
s ðg; y; pÞ ¼ lp2 2gc u
yx  þ S2  2g2 w
L T ð27Þ þ e T dg
l 2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
Imposing the boundary conditions given by Eqs. (1) and
ð36Þ
(2) yields /(p, g) and W(p, g) as
 pÞ S2T  2g2  pÞ
rx ðx; y; pÞ ¼ pPð0;
Pð0; " #
/ðp; gÞ ¼   ð28Þ Z g1 þi1
lp2 RðgÞ 1  2 2
 2 2
2 ST  2g pðgxcL yÞ
  ST  2SL þ 2g e dg
 pÞ 2gcL 2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
Pð0; " #
Wðp; gÞ ¼   ð29Þ Z g1 þi1 2
lp2 RðgÞ  1 4g cL cT pðgxcT yÞ
þ pPð0; pÞ e dg
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
where R(g) = (S2T - 2g2)2 ? 4g2cTcL.
Substituting obtained equations for u  and w into ð37Þ
Eqs. (23)–(27) results in: " Z #
 pÞ 1 g1 þi1
ðS2T  2g2 Þ2 pðgxcL yÞ
 pÞ gðS2T  2g2 Þ pc y Pð0;
 pÞ ry ðx; y; pÞ ¼ pPð0; e dg
Pð0; 2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
u ðg; y; pÞ ¼   e L þ " #
lp RðgÞ lp Z g1 þi1 2
 1 4g cL cT pðgxcT yÞ
2gcL cT pcT y  pPð0; pÞ e dg
 e ð30Þ 2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
RðgÞ
ð38Þ
 pÞ cL ðS2T  2g2 Þ pc y Pð0;
Pð0;  pÞ " #

v ðg; y; pÞ ¼  e L þ Z
g1 þi1 2 2
lp RðgÞ lp  pÞ 1 2gcL ðST  2g Þ pðgxc yÞ
syx ðx; y; pÞ ¼ pPð0; e L
dg
2g2 cL pcT y 2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
 e ð31Þ " Z g1 þi1 #
RðgÞ 1 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ pðgxcT yÞ

 pPð0; pÞ e dg
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
rx ðg; y; pÞ ¼ Pð0;
 pÞ

ð39Þ
S2  2g2 pcL y 4g2 cL cT pcT y
ðS2T  2S2L þ 2g2 Þ T e þ e
RðgÞ RðgÞ The integrands of Eqs. (35)–(39) have branch points at
ð32Þ g = ± SL and g = ± ST, and simple poles at roots of R(g).
Now according to Cagniard–De Hoop method, to achieve a
ry ðg; y; pÞ  pÞ
¼ Pð0;
" # convenient integration path, complex g plane is trans-
ðS2T  2g2 Þ2 pcL y 4g2 cL cT pcT y ð33Þ formed in such a way that the integral obtains the form of a
e þ e
RðgÞ RðgÞ Laplace transform integral. For this purpose a parameter t,
being real and positive by assumption, defined.
syx ðg; y; pÞ ¼ Pð0;
 pÞ For integrands included epðgxcL yÞ , the desired path of

integration in the g plane is defined as
2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ pcL y 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ pcT y
e  e 2 12
RðgÞ RðgÞ t t 2
ð34Þ gL ¼  cos h  i 2  SL sin h ð40Þ
r r
3.2 Integral Transforms Inversion where r2 = x2 ? y2 and tan h = y/x and 0 B h B p.
Equation (40) describes a hyperbola which its vertex is
To evaluate the inverse integral transforms of Eqs. (30)– located on the real axis between the branch points at ? SL
(34), Cagniard–De Hoop method [26] can be employed. and - SL as shown in Fig. 2.
The inversion of two sided Laplace transforms given in For integrands included epðgxcT yÞ , the desired path of
Eqs. (30)–(34) yields integration in the g plane is defined as

123
Transient Vibrations of a Half-Space Under a Massive Line Loading

Fig. 2 Integration path (gL? & gL-) Fig. 4 Integration path (gT?, gT?, gTL? and gTL-)

2 
t t 2 in which ðp  arccosðSSTL Þ\t  ST rÞ. The path given in
gT ¼  cos h  i 2  ST sin h ð41Þ
r r Eq. (42) consists of a circle of radius e(e ? 0) centered at
In this situation, depending on the value of h, the vertex of g = - SL .
hyperbola Eq. (41) may or may not be located in between It should be noted that none of the roots of R(g) in
branch points at ? SL and - SL. Therefore, two cases are Eqs. (35)–(39) is encountered by the Cagniard–De Hoop
possible, contours. Using the path defined by Eqs. (40)–(42) casts
Case I If ðarccosðSSTL Þ  h  p  arccosðSSTL ÞÞ, the contour the integrands of Eqs. (35)–(39) in the desired form of
given by Eq. (40) prevails as shown in Fig. 3.  pÞ
Pð0;
uðx; y; pÞ ¼ ½uL þ uT  ð43Þ
Case II If ðh  arccosðSSTL ÞÞ or ðp  arccosðSSTL Þ\h  pÞ as l
shown in Fig. 4, an additional path is needed around the  pÞ
Pð0;
vðx; y; pÞ ¼ ½vL þ vT  ð44Þ
branch cut represented by l
 
t t2  pÞ½rxL þ rxT 
rx ðx; y; pÞ ¼ pPð0; ð45Þ
gTL ¼  cos h þ S2T  2 sin h  ie ð42Þ
r r  
 pÞ ryL þ ryT
ry ðx; y; pÞ ¼ pPð0; ð46Þ
 
 pÞ syxL þ syxT
syx ðx; y; pÞ ¼ pPð0; ð47Þ

where
Z g1 þi1
1 gðS2T  2g2 Þ pðgxcL yÞ
uL ðx; yÞ ¼  e dg ð48Þ
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
Z g1 þi1
1 2gcL cT pðgxcT yÞ
uT ðx; yÞ ¼ e dg ð49Þ
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
Z g1 þi1
1 cL ðS2T  2g2 Þ pðgxcL yÞ
vL ðx; yÞ ¼ e dg ð50Þ
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
Z g1 þi1 2
1 2g cL pðgxcT yÞ
vT ðx; yÞ ¼ e dg ð51Þ
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ

Fig. 3 Integration path (gT? and gT-)

123
 S. Asadollahi, M. Dehestani

Z g1 þi1 Z "  #
1 1 þ1
2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogLþ pt
rxL ðx; yÞ ¼  syxL ðr; hÞ ¼   e dt
2pi g1 i1 2pi SL r RðgÞ g¼gLþ ot
ð52Þ
  S2  2g2 pðgxc yÞ Zþ1 "  #
S2T  2S2L þ 2g2 T e L
dg 1 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogL pt
RðgÞ þ    e dt
2pi RðgÞ g¼gL ot
Z g1 þi1 2 SL r
1 4g cL cT pðgxcT yÞ
rxT ðx; yÞ ¼ e dg ð53Þ ð63Þ
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
Z g1 þi1 2 Case I
1 ðST  2g2 Þ2 pðgxcL yÞ Z "  #
ryL ðx; yÞ ¼ e dg ð54Þ 1 2gcL cT 
þ1
ogTþ pt
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ uT ðr; hÞ ¼  e dt
Z g1 þi1 2 2pi ST r RðgÞ g¼gTþ ot
ryT ðx; yÞ ¼
1 4g cL cT pðgxcT yÞ
e dg ð55Þ Z þ1 "  #
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ 1 2gcL cT  ogT pt
þ   e dt
Z g1 þi1 2pi ST r RðgÞ g¼gT ot
1 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ pðgxcL yÞ
syxL ðx; yÞ ¼ e dg ð56Þ ð64Þ
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
Z  " #
Z g1 þi1 1 þ1
2g2 cL  ogTþ pt
1 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ pðgxcT yÞ vT ðr; hÞ ¼  e dt
syxT ðx; yÞ ¼ 
2pi g1 i1 RðgÞ
e dg 2pi ST r RðgÞ g¼gTþ ot
Z þ1 "  #
ð57Þ 1 2g2 cL  ogT pt
þ   e dt
2pi ST r RðgÞ g¼gT ot
 0; pÞ ¼ mg  mp2 vðx; 0; pÞ
Pðx; ð58Þ
p ð65Þ
Z þ1 " 2  Z þ1  " #
1 gðST  2g2 Þ 1 4g2 cL cT  og
uL ðr; hÞ ¼   rxT ðr; hÞ ¼  Tþ ept dt
2pi SL r RðgÞ g¼gLþ 2pi ST r 
RðgÞ g¼gTþ ot
 # ð59Þ
og 2
gðST  2g Þ2 
og Z þ1 "  #
 Lþ   L  ept dt 1 4g2 cL cT  ogT pt
 þ   e dt
ot RðgÞ g¼gL ot 2pi ST r RðgÞ g¼gT ot
Z þ1 " 
1 cL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ð66Þ
vL ðr; hÞ ¼   " #
2pi SL r RðgÞ Z
g¼gLþ
# ð60Þ 1 þ1
4g2 cL cT  og
 ryT ðr; hÞ ¼  Tþ ept dt
ogLþ cL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogL pt 2pi ST r RðgÞ g¼gTþ ot
   e dt
ot RðgÞ  ot Z þ1 "  #
g¼gL 1 4g2 cL cT  ogT pt
þ   e dt
1
Z þ1 2pi ST r RðgÞ g¼gT ot
rxL ðr; hÞ ¼ 
2pi SL r
"  # ð67Þ
S2T  2g2  ogLþ pt
ðS2T
 2S2L
þ 2g Þ 2
 e dt Z þ1 "  #
RðgÞ g¼gLþ ot 1 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogTþ pt
syxT ðr; hÞ ¼    e dt
Zþ1 "  # 2pi ST r RðgÞ ot
1 S2  2g2  ogL pt "
g¼gTþ
#
 ðS2T  2S2L þ 2g2 Þ T  e dt Z þ1 
2pi RðgÞ 
g¼gL ot 1 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogT pt
SL r     e dt
2pi ST r RðgÞ g¼gT ot
ð61Þ
 2 3 ð68Þ
Z þ1 2 2 2
ryL ðr; hÞ ¼
1 4ðST  2g Þ  og
 Lþ 5ept dt Case II
2pi SL r RðgÞ  ot "   #
g¼gLþ Z
2 3 1 þ1
2gcL cT  ogTþ 2gcL cT  ogT pt
Zþ1  uT ðr; hÞ ¼    e dt
2 2 2 2pi RðgÞ g¼gTþ ot RðgÞ g¼gT ot
1 ðS
4 T  2g Þ  og ST r
þ   L 5ept dt Z ST r " 
2gcL cT 

ogTL 2gcL cT 
#
2pi RðgÞ  ot þ
1
  
ogTL pt
e dt
SL r g¼gL 2pi tTL RðgÞ g¼g ot RðgÞ g¼g ot
TLþ TL

ð62Þ ð69Þ

123
Transient Vibrations of a Half-Space Under a Massive Line Loading

Z þ1
1 more realistic scheme, a contact patch always exists
vT ðr; hÞ ¼
2pi ST r between mass and half-space, so the traction distributes
"   #
2g2 cL  ogTþ 2g2 cL  ogT pt normally on it and can be achieved. In other words, the
   e dt vertical displacement is finite in real situation. Using a
RðgÞ g¼gTþ ot RðgÞ g¼gT ot
Z ST r " 2   # procedure proposed Dehestani et al. [24], the considered
1 2g cL  ogTL 2g2 cL  ogTL pt point at the surface (i.e. (0, 0)) can be replaced by one in
þ    e dt
2pi tTL RðgÞ g¼g ot RðgÞ g¼g ot the vicinity of surface (i.e. (x0, y0)) which their dynamic
TLþ TL

ð70Þ steady state stresses are the same. Indeed, a point in the
Z þ1
half-space is found, that its normal dynamic steady state
1 stress is equal to the normal traction at the surface due to
rxT ðr; hÞ ¼
2pi ST :r the load of strip foundation according to finite patch.
"   #
4g cL cT 
2
ogTþ 4g2 cL cT  ogT pt Substituting Eq. (58) in Eq. (44), leads to
   e dt
RðgÞ  g¼gTþ ot RðgÞ g¼gT ot  0 ; y0 ; pÞ
Kðx mg
Z ST r vð0; 0; pÞ vðx0 ; y0 ; pÞ ¼  2

1 ½l þ Kðx0 ; y0 ; pÞmp  p
þ

2pi tTL 1  0 ; y0 ; pÞ m  0 ; y0 ; pÞ  mg
" # ) 2 þ Kðx  mð0; 0; pÞ ¼ Kðx
  p l lp3
4g2 cL cT  ogTL 4g2 cL cT  ogTL pt
   e dt ð74Þ
RðgÞ g¼g ot RðgÞ g¼g ot
TLþ TL
where
ð71Þ
Z þ1  0 ; y0 ; pÞ ¼ ½vL þ vT 
Kðx ð75Þ
1
ryT ðr; hÞ ¼ Applying the convolution theorem
2pi ST r
"   #
4g cL cT 
2
ogTþ 4g2 cL cT  ogT pt Zt
   e dt ðs þ aðsÞÞ  mð0; 0; t  sÞds ¼ bðtÞ ð76Þ
RðgÞ g¼gTþ ot RðgÞ g¼gT ot
Z ST r 0
1
þ where
2pi tTL
"   # m
4g2 cL cT  ogTL 4g2 cL cT  ogTL pt aðtÞ ¼ Kð0; 0; tÞ ð77Þ
   e dt l
RðgÞ g¼g ot RðgÞ g¼g ot
TLþ TL Zt
ð72Þ mg
bðtÞ ¼ ðt  sÞ2  Kð0; 0; sÞds ð78Þ
Z 2l
1 þ1 0
syxT ðr; hÞ ¼
2pi ST r
"   # For approximate evaluation, Eq. (76) can be rewritten as
2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogTþ 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogT pt
     e dt Xm
RðgÞ g¼gTþ ot RðgÞ g¼gT ot
Z ST r ðti þ aðti ÞÞ  mððm  iÞDtÞDt ¼ bðtm Þ ð79Þ
1 i¼1

2pi tTL
"   #
2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogTL 2gcL ðS2T  2g2 Þ ogTL pt in which
     e dt
RðgÞ g¼g ot RðgÞ g¼g ot ti ¼ SL r þ iDt ð80Þ
TLþ TL

ð73Þ bðt2 Þ
mðDtÞ ¼ ð81Þ
To obtain the inverse transform of above equations, some ðt1 þ aðt1 ÞÞDt
considerations about inertial effect must be addressed. Therefore, the approximate solution for vertical
displacement is
3.3 Inertial Effect Considerations ( )
1 bðtmþ1 Þ Xm1
vðmDtÞ ¼  ðtmjþ1 þ aðtmjþ1 ÞÞvðjDtÞ
ðt1 þ aðt1 ÞÞDt Dt
The inertial behavior is automatically taken into account j¼1

when computing the mass–medium interaction i.e. P(x, t). ð82Þ

Note that Eqs. (44) and (58) are coupled, therefore an
analytical approach to the mass–medium interaction is not Vertical displacement solution Eq. (82) and central finite
possible unless the vertical displacement v(0, 0, t) is found. difference method gives the acceleration v€ðtÞ, and
Obviously, v(0, 0, t) is infinite theoretically. However, in a consequently the interaction force P(x, t).

123
 S. Asadollahi, M. Dehestani

Fig. 5 Half-space behavior

under condition of load and
mass at point (x, y) = (0, 0.63).
a Vertical displacements.
b Normal stresses in X
direction. c Normal stresses in Y
direction

vððm þ 1ÞDtÞ  2vðmDtÞ þ vððm þ 1ÞDtÞ 4 Numerical Results and Discussion

v€ðmDtÞ ffi ð83Þ
Dt2
Consider a strip foundation with 1000 kg/m of weight
By applying Cagniard–De Hoop technique and convolution
resting on a homogenous, elastic half-space with
theorem to Eqs. (43)–(47), the displacements and stresses
l = 50 MPa, m = 0.33 and q = 2000 kg/m3. The semi-
can be achieved.
analytical methodology given above can be used to eval-
uate the responses of the half-space under the strip foun-
dation. Results have been computed utilizing a computer
code and are presented in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

123
Transient Vibrations of a Half-Space Under a Massive Line Loading
Fig. 6 Variation of surface traction for various mass magnitudes with
M0 = 1000 kg/m
Fig. 7 Variation of surface traction for various shear moduli with
l0 = 50 MPa
Fig. 8 Variation of surface traction for various Poisson ratio values
with m0 = 0.2
Figure 5 clearly shows the distinction between respon-
ses of half-space under mass and load conditions. It should
be noted that because of the symmetry of the problem,
horizontal displacement and shear stress are zero for points
located exactly under the load patch. An intensive increase
in the rate of displacement in load case at the beginning of
the diagram, Fig. 5a, causes an almost infinite stress at the
surface of the half-space but in the mass case, initial mild
slope imposes a finite stress. In fact, any material can bear a
surface load if and only if a gradual displacement at the
contact patch is occurred. As shown in Fig. 5a, the
responses for the mass case vary in a nonlinear manner at a
Fig. 9 Variation of surface traction for various half-space densities
with q0 = 2000 kg/m3
short period of time and after that, approach asymptotically
to the responses pertaining to the load case. It is to be noted
that the maximum stresses would occur in the nonlinear
phase.
In order to study the influence of mass magnitude on the
surface traction, a half-space with l = 50 MPa, m = 0.33
and q = 2000 kg/m3 subjected to various line masses of
500, 1000 and 2000 kg/m is considered. According to
Fig. 6, as mass per unit length increases, maximum traction
will increase and more time is needed to converge to load
condition.
To determine the influence of shear modulus on the
surface traction, a half-space with q = 2000 kg/m3,
m = 0.33 and shear moduli of 12.5, 50 and 200 MPa sub-
jected to a line mass of 1000 kg/m is considered. Figure 7
illustrates that the effect of shear modulus changes on
maximum surface traction is negligible. Also, the reduction
of shear modulus postpones the time of maximum surface
traction response.
To analyze the influence of the Poisson ratio value, a
half-space with q = 2000 kg/m3, l = 50 MPa and with
various Poisson ratio values of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 subjected to
line mass 1000 kg/m is considered. Figure 8 shows that
even large changes in the Poisson ratio values over time
have negligible effects on the surface tractions.
To investigate the influence of the half-space density, a
half-space with m = 0.33, l = 50 MPa with various half-
space densities of 1500, 2000 and 2500 kg/m3 subjected to
line mass 1000 kg/m is considered. The results presented in
Fig. 9 demonstrate that the effect of changing density on
surface traction is negligible.
5 Concluding Remarks
This paper presented a procedure for computing the
responses of a homogeneous isotropic elastic half-space
subjected to a strip foundation. Strip foundation was
assumed as a line mass and a point in the vicinity of surface
123

was used with mentioned condition to avoid infinite dis-
placement. Furthermore, the influences of mass magnitude
and half-space characteristics on responses are studied. The
following conclusions can be drawn from the numerical
studies conducted. (1) Over time, good agreements are
existed between load and mass responses. (2) In both cases,
responses show nonlinear behavior at initial period of time
and then tend to linear one. (3) All studied parameters
shows a great difference between mass and load case that
should be considered in design process. (4) Characteristics
of half-space do not have a significant effect on dynamic
responses in mass case and only times of maximum trac-
tion shift with variation of shear modulus. (5) Mass mag-
nitude plays a vital role in design process based on using
mass condition. (6) In comparison with results performed
by Dehestani et al. [22], the responses due to moving and
vibrating masses have the same behaviors but the traction
magnitudes are more affected by moving ones.
Acknowledgements The authors thankfully acknowledge the finan-
cial support from Iranian National Science Foundation (INSF) via
project Grant No. 88001664.
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