Nonhomogeneous spectral element for wave motion in multilayer dystems

This contribution deals with the use of the computationally efficient spectral element technique as a means of analyzing the dynamic behavior of axisymmetric multilayer systems consisting of homogenous and nonhomogeneous material layers and subjected to a stationary but transient force. Focus is placed on the mathematical formulation and numerical verification of a nonhomogeneous spectral element for soil material. The general solution of the wave equations and the boundary value problem are achieved by triple summation over fast Fourier, Fourier-Bessel, and Frobenius series. Practical utilization of the model is presented via a numerical example, which simulates a pavement structure subjected to the dynamic action of a falling weight deflectometer test as typically utilized for pavement structural evaluation.