Free vibration analysis of continuous orthotropic bridge decks

Abstract

While studies of the free vibration problem of single span bridge slabs have been undertaken by a number of authors, literature on continuous span orthotropic bridge slabs is rather scarce. Furthermore, general continuous bridge deck problems have been dealt with by approximate methods only for specific types of boundary conditions. In this paper an attempt is made to formulate a general analytical solution which would be applicable to all types of boundary conditions. The solution developed is discussed here with special reference to “bridge type” boundary conditions. The analysis is based on the ordinary theory of thin plates and is formulated for linearly elastic materials with isotropic or orthotropic properties. A Levy-type series solution is employed and the problem of free vibration analysis of continuous isotropic and orthotropic bridge slabs is solved by using the principle of superposition. The solution is tested for convergence by varying the number of terms in the solution and the convergence is found to be excellent. Results obtained for continuous isotropic bridge decks are compared with published solutions and close agreements are found. For orthotropic bridge decks a similar comparison was not possible because of a lack of published results in the technical literature.