Dynamic response of a horizontally curved beam subjected to vertical and horizontal moving loads

Analytic solutions are derived for a horizontal curved beam subjected to ve rtical and horizontal moving loads. The horizontal moving loads may be rega rded as the centrifugal forces generated by vehicles moving along a curved path, which were rarely studied by previous researchers. Both a single movi ng load and a series of equidistant moving loads are considered. By superpo sition of the waves generated by consecutively moving loads on the curved b eam, the conditions for the resonance and cancellation phenomena to occur a re established. Compared with the numerical approaches, the present approac h has the advantage that it provides clear physical insights into the vario us vehicle-induced phenomena on curved beams, while allowing us to identify the key parameters involved. (C) 2001 Academic Press.