Dynamic response of single span highway bridges

Abstract

Abstract The dynamic response of single span simply supported bridge decks subjected to the passage of vehicles is examined. A modal analysis approach is adopted that is based upon a finite strip idealization of the deck. The vehicle is modelled as a rigid body supported at two points by a suspension idealization that accounts for the effect of tyre stiffness and the frictional nature of real suspension systems. Results are presented for an orthotropic slab deck and a box girder deck that illustrate the effects of (i) the initial precompression of the suspension system as the vehicle enters the span, (ii) the ratio of the vehicle's natural frequency to that of the bridge deck and (iii) a bridge deck surface profile that is not perfectly horizontal.