BRIDGE-TRUCK INTERACTION: SIMULATION, MEASUREMENTS AND LOAD IDENTIFICATION

Based on a commercial finite element (FE) program, a method was developed to perform simulations of truck models crossing a bridge. The simulation is divided into three sections: truck on road before the bridge, on the bridge, and on road after the bridge with the bridge vibrating without the truck. Bridge and truck are represented as spatial FE models. The roughness of the lanes can be modeled based on power densities or on measurements. Results of simulations (deflections of bridge and truck structures, contact forces, strains) are presented for a 3-axle instrumented truck crossing a calibrated 2-span box girder bridge. When a calibrated bridge model is simulated, results as influence lines can be used to establish a relationship between axle load and strains at defined points where measurements are intended. Accurate influence lines (adapted for example for the influence of dynamics on measurements) are very important for the carrying out of accurate weigh in motion calculations of truck loads using bridges (B-WIM). (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD 895232.