Numerical Investigations on the Dynamic Response of a Long-Span Arch Bridge Under Heavy Truck Loads

Loads of dynamic nature are critical for any bridge structure and must be accurately determined. This paper deals with the dynamic response analysis of a long-span arch bridge due to heavy truck loads under various combinations of vehicle speeds on different road roughness profiles, using numerical modeling and MATLAB coding. Four vehicle loading scenarios were analysed, involving two trucks moving in the same and opposite directions at the same and varying speeds. The dynamic responses in terms of displacement, velocity, and acceleration were computed and compared. The results reveal that the analysed vehicle loading scenario of trucks moving at the same speed in the same direction exhibited a maximum increase of 73%, 104%, and 22% in dynamic responses compared to the other three analysed vehicle loading scenarios. The study also revealed that the roughness of the road surface is a crucial parameter influencing the bridge’s dynamic responses. In addition, dynamic amplification factor and pedestrian comfort analysis were also computed for the various vehicle loading scenarios.