Dynamic vehicle–bridge interaction under simultaneous vertical earthquake excitation

Abstract

Traditionally, the seismic response analysis of a bridge does not account for the concurrent vehicle-bridge dynamic interaction. However, the behavior of a seismically excited bridge can jeopardize the safety of the vehicles running on it, even if the bridge itself remains undamaged. This study examines the seismic response of a vehicle-bridge interacting (VBI) system under vertical earthquake excitation, modelling the truck vehicles as rigid body assemblies. An application of the proposed scheme to a realistic case of (highway) bridge-(truck) vehicles shows that the earthquake ground motion and the road surface conditions are the main sources of excitation. The results show that the road surface conditions influence strongly the dynamics of the VBI system, even when the vertical component of the earthquake excitation is significant. Also, the study brings forward the influence of traffic parameters (namely the speed, the number and the distance between the running vehicles) and underlines the need to consider different positions of the vehicle/s (on the deck) during the earthquake shaking. Finally, it examines the tendency of the wheels of a truck vehicle to detach (jump) from the deck during the seismic response of the VBI system. Detachment tends to be more frequent as the road surface conditions deteriorate and/or the peak ground acceleration increases. However, detachment is a complicated phenomenon which depends also on many other ground motion and VBI system parameters and deserves further study.

Dynamic Responses of Vehicle‐CRTS III Slab Track System and Vehicle Running Safety Subjected to Uniform Seismic Excitation

“…Shaban et al [12] evaluated the effects of vehicles on the seismic response of bridges by applying five different seismic excitation tests. Paraskeva et al [13] researched the dynamic response of a vehiclebridge interacting system under vertical earthquake excitation.…”

Seismic fragility analysis of railway reinforced concrete bridges considering real‐time vehicle‐bridge interaction with the aid of co‐simulation techniques

“…Therefore, several studies have investigated the response of coupled systems under dynamic (earthquake) loading. 20 The seismic response for frequent, moderate, and strong earthquakes 11,21,22 is evaluated, estimating the dynamic stability and parameters that affect running safety of trains moving over bridges during earthquakes. 23,24 Furthermore, the parameters affecting the train derailment mechanism during earthquakes are explored.…”

Mechanism study of vehicle‐bridge dynamic interaction under earthquake ground motion

“…Thus, consistent with the explanation of TMD effect, even if the seismic response of bridge is reduced the vibration of vehicle will probably be consequentially increased. This means vehicle may possibly lose contact with bridge deck 6,17 or even roll over just as those seismic induced vehicle accidents observed in past earthquake events. 9 And drivers usually found that it is hard to control the vehicle at the outbreak of earthquakes due to excessive vehicle responses.…”