In-plane bending of a beam resting on a rigid rough foundation

Summary

The bending of a finite-length beam that lies on a rigid, rough, flat foundation and interacts with it in accordance to the dry friction law is considered. Loading by bending moments applied at the ends of the beam is studied in detail. The problem is found to be a self-similar one. For small moments, the central part of the beam remains undeflected, and the problem reduces to the solution of an infinite system of algebraic equations. Large moments deflect the entire length of the beam, and the problem partly loses its self-similarity. In this case, the problem reduces to the solution of a successively decreasing number of ordinary differential equations along with some algebraical equations. The solution for the latter case provides initial conditions for the former one. This permits to obtain a solution for any value of the moment.