Moving force identification of simply supported bridges through the integral time domain method

Abstract

This paper presents a new form of inversion matrix, which aims to obtain more accurate moving force identification results from the responses of a simply supported bridge deck to vehicles passing over it. The load identification process of the modal superposition method discretizes the time-domain integral equation of the load response, obtains the load inversion matrix, and converts the load identification problem into a linear equation solving problem. The inversion matrix formation process of this traditional time domain method (TDM) can introduce the load compression error and the discretization error of the unit impulse response function, which affect the load solution. To reduce the source of error and maintain the stability of the solution, the discretized unit impulse response function is replaced by an integral form, thereby eliminating the discretization error. This method is called the integral time domain method (ITDM). A supported beam subjected to a single force and two forces is illustrated as a numerical example. Through numerical analysis, the effects of the two methods in single time-varying force identification are analyzed. Using two moving forces analysis, when noise is included, the influence of discretization error on the load solution is analyzed. Numerical results show that the discretization error has a greater impact on the load inversion using the acceleration response than the bending moment and displacement response inversion, and the ITDM should be used to avoid the interference of discrete error.