Dynamic simulation of beam-like structure with a crack subjected to a random moving mass oscillator

In this paper, dynamic simulation of a beam-like structure with a transverse open crack subjected to a random moving mass oscillator is investigated. The simultaneous effect of a crack and a random oscillator has not been addressed up to now. The crack in the beam at different locations and with different depths is considered as one group of damage, each as an individual imperfection. In addition, bearing immobility is considered as another type of problem in the beam. Mass, stiffness, damping and velocity of the oscillator are assumed to be random parameters. An improved perturbation technique is applied to reduce the simulation time. It was found that there is a maximum value of the variance of each uncertain parameter, in which the maximum reliability of the perturbation method can be achieved, and that this maximum value can be obtained by the Alpha-Hilber Monte-Carlo simulation method. The simulation results reveal that the mass and the velocity uncertainty cause high uncertainty in the deflection of the beam. Also, the pattern of the deflection is not affected by different random oscillator parameters, and as a result, the type of damage can be identified even with high uncertainty. Moreover, the deflection in the nodes around the mid-span of the beam provides the best information regarding the imperfections, and consequently leads to the best sensor locations in an actual experiment.

Natural Frequency of the Bridge—Vehicle Coupled System Considering Uniform Distributed Moving Load

Natural frequencies of the bridge—vehicle coupling system considering uniform distributed load varying with position is investigated in this work.An analytic model of a simply supported beam bridge with constant section is introduced to establish the frequency equations of the coupled system.Comparisons with the results between analytic model and FEM indicate that the present research is correct and reasonable.In view of an example bridge,natural frequencies are studied on the bridge subjected to uniform distributed moving loads in cases of different weight and span,by which some regular phenomenon are obtained.The present study can apply in the engineering problem of interaction between bridges and moving loads such as trains and tracked vehicles.

Computer Simulation of Dynamic Interactions Between Vehicle and Long Span Box Girder Bridges

Moving vehicle loads, associated with roadway traffic can induce significant dynamic effects on the structural behaviours of bridges, especially for long-span bridges. The main objective of current research is to study traffic induced dynamic responses of long-span box-girder bridges. The finite element method has been employed in this study to obtain a three-dimensional mathematical model for the bridge system. For vehicle-bridge dynamic interaction analysis, the vehicle is modeled as a more realistic three-axle, six-wheel system, and the corresponding dynamic interaction equations have been derived. The bridge-vehicle interaction is affected by many factors. The current study has been focused on such factors as: vehicle speed, vehicle damping ratio, multiple traffic lanes, mass ratio of vehicle and bridge, and dynamic characteristics of bridge. Case studies have been conducted to investigate these factors by using several box girder bridge examples including Confederation Bridge, the longest box girder bridge in the world.