| Primary aim of this dissertation is the numerical analysis of the response of foundations having arbitrary geometry, in two and three dimensions, resting on or embedded in an anisotropic layering system, when subjected to harmonic loadings of arbitrary geometry and direction. Each layer has different geometry and anisotropic elastic properties. For this purpose, the concepts of anisotropy as well as orthotropy and cross-anisotropy have been reviewed making use of crystallography and theory of elasticity, also an extensive literature review on the response of foundations resting on or embedded in anisotropic media has been presented.; Direct Boundary Element Method techniques (BEM) have been used in this work to achieve the above objective. Its ability to handle complicated geometries and high stress concentrations and to model infinite and semi-infinite domains has been confirmed in this work.; A comprehensive study, based on BEM techniques, has been conducted on the response of foundations modeled in two and three dimensions in the frequency domain. Different foundation geometries, loading systems, elastic anisotropic properties and layering geometries among others have been successfully analyzed here. Results of these analyses provide a new insight to the understanding of the response of those foundations under the variables studied. |
