MOVING FORCE IDENTIFICATION - A TIME-DOMAIN METHOD

The solution for the vertical dynamic interaction forces between a mov ing vehicle and the bridge deck is analytically derived and experiment ally verified. The deck is modelled asa simply supported beam with vis cous damping, and the vehicle/bridge interaction force is modelled as one-point or two-point loads with fixed axle spacing, moving at consta nt speed. The method is based on modal superposition and is developed to identify the forces in the time domain. Both cases of one-point and two-point forces moving on a simply supported beam are simulated. Res ults of laboratory tests on the identification of the vehicle/bridge i nteraction forces are presented. Computation simulations and laborator y tests show that the method is effective, and acceptable results can be obtained by combining the use of bending moment and acceleration me asurements. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.