A fundamental study of truck platoon spacing on bridge dynamic response

In the research of autonomous trucks and bridge interaction vibration, fatigue damage of bridge is of high concern. This article investigates the influence of truck platoon spacing on the vibration of the bridge. The relationship among the platoon spacing, the dynamic load and vibration frequency of bridges is analyzed through the oscillators and bridge interaction model by time frozen technique, because of the time-varying effect of the theoretical model. To further analyze the bridge loading caused by the different vehicle platoons on the bridge, an energy-related evaluation index, Action, was established. At the same time, the theoretical model is simplified into the multiple moving loads and bridge vibration model, so as to eliminate the time-varying effect and gain physical insights. The theoretical formula of optimal platoon spacing with two vehicles is derived. Finally, the parameters (the number of vehicles, dynamic load and frequency, etc.) are dimensionless simplified, and their influence on Action is analyzed. This paper focuses on the impact of vehicle platoon spacing on bridge vibration and provides relevant guidance in this area.