Evaluation of Moving Vehicle Dynamic Effects on Short- and Medium-Span Highway Bridges Using Weigh-in-Motion Data

This paper highlights the limitations of current bridge design guidelines in accounting for dynamic loads caused by moving vehicles. The impact of bridge and vehicle parameters on the coupled vehicle–bridge system dynamic response was examined using a comprehensive set of 96,768 numerical simulations. The studied parameters include bridge geometry, span length, material type, pavement condition, vehicle gross weight, axle count, suspension system, and traveling speed. The ranges for vehicle attributes and bridge geometries were determined using traffic data from weigh-in-motion stations and structural types from the bridge inventory in New Brunswick, Canada. The scope of parametric studies related to the bridge structural parameters and vehicle suspension properties was established using published data. It is demonstrated that the bridge pavement condition significantly impacts the dynamic response; an increase in vehicle speed may either increase or decrease its dynamic impact; the bridge’s fundamental frequency cannot solely represent vehicle–bridge parameters; and the vehicle parameters, particularly the suspension system, have significant impacts on the dynamic amplification factor. Finally, recommendations were made to enhance existing practices for accurately accounting for the dynamic effects of vehicle–bridge interaction in short and medium-span highway bridges.