The Euler–Bernoulli beam on a tensionless Winkler foundation: A simple problem of receding contact

A steel ruler supported by a flexible foam foundation, modelled as an Euler–Bernoulli beam on a Winkler foundation, exhibits receding contact when subjected to a point load. The system is analysed using simple beam theory and Laplace transformation – both of which are typically covered in the first two years of a UK Mechanical Engineering undergraduate programme. The design of a simple experiment is described