Abstract:
Based on the finite element (FE) method and Duhamel integration, a numericalanalytical combined method for the dynamic response problem of an FE bridge under moving loads was proposed, and the conditions of resonance and cancellation for the bridge subjected to multiple moving loads were derived. The FE modes of the bridge structure were first computed and then converted into an analytical form constructed over all the elements of the bridge deck with the element shape functions. The analytical dynamic responses of the bridge were derived from Duhamel integration, and transformed into a simple integration and a summation of the previous results through elimination of the time variable from the integration, which enables the computation process more efficient. The proposed approach has the versatility of the FE method in dealing with structures of arbitrary configurations and the special efficiency and convenience of the analytical method in dealing with moving loads. In the numerical examples, the present method is verified with the Newmark method and the traditional analytical method based on a simply supported beam bridge and a 3span continuous beam bridge. The results show that the accurate solution of the FE structures subjected to moving loads is obtained with the present method, and no approximation is introduced during the computation process. The conditions of resonance and cancellation are discussed for the problems with multiple moving load, and the influence of the load distances on the responses of the bridge is also revealed.