Static deformation of a transversely isotropic multilayered half-space by surface loads

The method of layer matrices is used to solve the problem of the axially-symmetric deformation of a transversely isotropic, multilayered, clastic half-space by surface loads. It is shown that the general problem splits into two independent problems-the torsional problem and the plane problem. The solution of the plane problem is obtained by expressing the stresses in terms of the generalized Love's strain potential. Explicit expressions for the displacements and stresses at any point of the medium due to a vertical force and a torque are obtained. The present formulation avoids the cumbersome nature of the problem and is adaptable to numerical evaluation