DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF BRIDGES SUBJECTED TO MOVING VEHICLES

In the present work the Finite Prism method was used for the dynamic analysis of bridges under moving vehicles. In this method a combination is used of the finite element method representing the cross section of the prism and Fourier series suitably chosen to represent the behavior of prism in the longitudinal direction, which satisfies the simply supported boundary conditions at the ends. Explicit time integration scheme was used for solving the equation of motion for each of the bridge and vehicle. In the present work damping was neglected in the formulation of equation of motion of bridges. These render to avoid the solution of global system of equations, because each equation becomes uncoupled with other equations. One of the main aspect in the present work is the coupling of the explicit solution technique of the equation of motion with the harmonic solution using the finite prism method for the problem of moving vehicle, taking into consideration the dynamic interaction between the vehicle and bridge.