Bridge-vehicle interaction using extended FE analysis

Abstract

To describe the behaviour of a bridge with a crossing vehicle (MDOF) using FE analysis, a method is used based on a commercial software package. The connection between a bridge and a vehicle whose location is variable by time can be realized as a Lagrange condition within the equation of variation. The numerical results are used for a discussion of influence parameters representing the roughness of the road surface and of dynamic measurements performed at a bridge. As an example, the calculated dynamic stress time function and the dynamic portion based on a measured strain record are compared.