A versatile element for analyzing vehicle–bridge interaction response

Abstract

In this paper, a versatile element that is capable of treating various vehicle–bridge interaction (VBI) effects is derived. Central to the present formulation is the use of Newmark's finite difference scheme to discretize the vehicle equations of motion. This enables us to relate first the contact forces to the wheel displacements. Through use of the no-jump condition for vehicles, the contact forces can then be related to the contact displacements of the bridge. As such, a VBI element that considers all of the interaction effects can be derived from the bridge equations, which enables us to compute the vehicle response, contact forces and bridge response with no iterations required. The present procedure is versatile in that it allows us to deal with vehicle models of various complexities, ranging from the moving load, moving mass, sprung mass, to suspended rigid bar, and so on. The capability of the present procedure is demonstrated in the study of various VBI phenomena, including those caused by vehicles in braking.