Application of strain energy approach in the analysis of circular plate with concentrated load resting on Pasternak-type foundation

In this study, the strain energy method is used to establish an analytical formula for the deflection of a circular elastic plate resting on a Pasternak-type foundation. In order to compare the variation pattern published in the literature based on an approximation solution technique, parametric analysis is conducted to evaluate the location of the plate lift-off and the variation of the deflection profiles. It has been discovered that when the shear modulus and subgrade reaction values of the foundation soil increase, the reduction in the radial distance of the plate’s point of lift-off is larger for their lower values. Additionally, it has been found that at smaller values of the modulus of subgrade reaction, the variation in the plate's deflection at any radial distance due to changes in the subgrade conditions of the soil is significant. The performance, accuracy, and application of the present element are excellent and outstanding.