A numerical method for moving load on continuum

Abstract

In this paper, a recently developed method called the moving element method is adopted for the dynamic analysis of half-space continuum under moving load. Plane strain condition is assumed and the continuum is discretised into "moving elements". These moving elements are not physical elements fixed to the continuum but are conceptual elements that "flow" with the moving load through the continuum. The method eliminates the need of keeping track the location of moving load relative to the element mesh. Numerical examples involving different load types such as strip load and concentrated load moving on half-space and layers on half-space are presented. The numerical results are verified against solutions obtained by alternative methods. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.