Galerkin method for bending analysis of beams on non-homogeneous foundation

In this study, a mathematical formulation for static bending analysis of a beam on a non-homogenous foundation is presented. The proposed method offers an accurate procedure for analysis and design of a beam resting on a varying soil bed. The Winkler foundation model is used and presented using discontinuous functions to account for the sudden change in the soil stiffness coefficient. The solution of the governing differential equation is then obtained using the Galerkin method with the help of approximation functions that satisfy the boundary conditions. A systematic approach for setting the approximation functions for different support and soil conditions is suggested. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified through two numerical examples, and they showed an excellent agreement with the finite element method (FEM) and available literature results.