The second order solution of Boussinesq’s problem

In this document, we have proposed a second order solution to Boussinesq’s problem, which allows us to account for the experimental evidence on the stress field induced by aircraft traffic, showing that a tensile state of stress, not accounted for in the classical solution of Boussinesq’s problem, always arises in the proximity of the contact area. The second order solution also allows us to evaluate the effect of the elastic constants on the stress field, improving the solution of Boussinesq in this second case also.