Plane Strain and Axially Symmetric Problems of a Linearly Nonhomogeneous Elastic Half-Space

SUMMARY The influence of a linear variation with depth of the shear modulus on the stresses and displacements in an isotropic elastic half-space subject to loading normal to its plane boundary is considered. The pattern of surface settlement is found to be sensitive to the inhomogeneity and this has important implications for the foundation engineer. The extent to which the components of stress are affected proves to depend almost entirely on Poisson's ratio.