A beam/plate on elastic foundation.....

cabellos6

As part of my project (designing an artificial spinal disc) I have to design the enplate pieces which will attach to the bone.

I am familiar with beam theory with regards to simple supports or cantilever beams but i have not yet studied beams on elastic foundation. I would be extremely greatful if someone could help me with this. I believe the endplate (shown in the link below) is similar to a beam/plate on elastic foundation when under a compressive load of 2000N.

http://img155.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ndplatenb5.jpg

I want to find the maximum bending stress due to this load but do not know how?

Thankyou.