A note on line forces in gradient elasticity

The theory of gradient elasticity is applied to line forces. Line forces acting on a point within the body and a concentrated normal force (Flamant problem) which acts on a half plane are studied. Closed analytical solutions which have a simple form are obtained for displacement fields of these forces. The gradient elasticity solutions are free from undesirable displacement singularities predicted by classical elasticity. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.