Winkler model for lateral response of rigid caisson foundations in linear soil

A generalized spring multi-Winkler model is developed for the static and dynamic response of rigid caisson foundations of circular, square, or rectangular plan, embedded in a homogeneous elastic. The model, referred to as a four-spring Winkler model, uses four types of springs to model the interaction between soil and caisson: lateral translational springs distributed along the length of the caisson relating horizontal displacement at a particular depth to lateral soil resistance (resultant of normal and shear tractions on the caisson periphery); similarly distributed rotational springs relating rotation of the caisson to the moment increment developed by the vertical shear tractions on the caisson periphery; and concentrated translational and rotational springs relating, respectively, resultant horizontal shear force with displacement, and overturning moment with rotation, at the base of the caisson. For the dynamic problem each spring is accompanied by an associated dashpot in parallel. Utilising elastodynamic theoretical available in the literature results for rigid embedded foundations, closed-form expressions are derived for the various springs and dashpots of caissons with rectangular and circular plan shape. The response of a caisson to lateral static and dynamic loading at its top, and to kinematically-induced loading arising from vertical seismic shear wave propagation, is then studied parametrically. Comparisons with results from 3D finite element analysis and other available theoretical methods demonstrate the reliability of the model, the need for which arises from its easy extension to multi-layered and nonlinear inelastic soil. Such an extension is presented in the companion papers by the authors [Gerolymos N, Gazetas G. Development of Winkler model for lateral static and dynamic response of caisson foundations with soil and interface nonlinearities. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng. Submitted companion paper; Gerolymos N, Gazetas G. Static and dynamic response of massive caisson foundations with soil and interface nonlinearities-validation and results. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng. Submitted companion paper.]. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.