Straight Beams Rested on Nonlinear Elastic Foundations – Part 1 (Theory, Experiments, Numerical Approach)
This paper presents theory, experiments and numerical approaches suitable for the solution of straight plane beams rested on an elastic (Winkler's) foundation, including nonlinearities. The nonlinear dependence of the reaction force on displacement in the foundation (i.e. the experimental data) can be described via bilateral linear or bilateral linear + cubic or bilateral linear + cubic + quintic approximations, or by unilateral approximation (i.e. by using the Least Squares Method). These applications lead to linear or nonlinear differential 4th-order equations. For solutions of nonlinear problems of mechanics, the Finite Difference Method (i.e. the Central Difference Method) and boundary conditions are applied. The solution and its evaluation is performed in second part of this article.