Overview of Lecture Series Dermot O’Dwyer Material to be Covered • Identify factors that Influence bridge response • Identifying the types of problem that structural engineers have to address • Identify suitable analysis methods for the different types of analysis • Review structural dynamics Resources • Lectures on disk – Railway bridge dynamics – Dynamics primer • Prototype analysis programs – Moving force program – Moving vehicle program What Will You Be Able to Do? • Perhaps nothing new but maybe these sessions will clarify the origin of some of the code requirements • Will be able to give feedback on what you would like an analysis package to deliver Lecture 1 Overview of Railway Bridge Dynamics Factors that affect the dynamic response of a railway bridge 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Bridge stiffness Bridge mass Train mass Train speed Rail and wheel irregularities and the presence of track irregularities 6. Train suspension characteristics Multiple problems • Longitudinal Response • Response of Transverse members • Liquefaction of ballast due to high vertical accelerations • Critical speeds • Fatigue • Resonance Lecture 2 Qualitative Response of Longitudinal Members Qualitative Response of Longitudinal members The rolling load moves at a slow rate across the bridge The rolling load moves at a slow rate across the bridge • If the load is moving slowly then the response of the bridge at any time is equal to the static deflection. • If you need to ensure that there are no dynamic effects then by reducing the speed of the train the dynamic effects can be removed • How slow is slow? Depends • Static response can be used to check a dynamic program Rolling load moves instantaneously to mid-span Rolling load moves instantaneously to mid-span • This case shows that dynamic effects can be significant • Classic dynamic case of suddenly applied to a spring • Deflection is twice the static deflection for this case Rolling load moves rapidly from mid-span to end Rolling load moves rapidly from mid-span to end • Rolling load must climb out of the dip – this requires a vertical movement • The faster the load moves the greater the vertical acceleration required • The lower the bridge stiffness the greater the dip and hence the greater the vertical acceleration required • The contact force will be dependent on the vertical acceleration and the mass of the load • The faster the load moves the less time the contact force acts on the bridge Rolling load traverses the bridge rapidly Rolling load traverses the bridge rapidly • Complex response • Non-linear • Response depends on – – – – Mass of moving load Mass of bridge Velocity of moving load Stiffness of bridge Assumptions • Contact between the wheel and the rail is perfectly smooth • Vertical velocity and acceleration are zero when the wheel begins to cross the bridge Lecture 3 Quantitative Response of Longitudinal Members Mathematical Models • Mathematical models involve some simplification. Generally, analysts attempt to identify the simplest models capable of predicting the system response with sufficient accuracy • It is vitally important that the analyst understands the implications of the various simplifications Hirearcy of Models • Moving forces model • Moving mass model • Moving train model – – – – Include non-linear contact spring Include track Include track and wheel irregularities Include initial vertical velocities and accelerations Moving Force Model • The moving force model replaces the moving masses (i.e. the train) as a series of constant vertical forces that move across the bridge • Advantages – Significant simplification – linearises problem – Reduced requirement for vehicle data Ladislav Fryba’s Solution • Response of a simply supported beam subjected to a moving force What is so great about Fryba’s solution? • Why linear is important – Superposition • Analyse respons to a single moving load • Separate analysis required for each speed but not each train • Ideal for a fatigue analysis Fryba - Free Response • The closed form solution is only valid for the period while the load is on the bridge • The solution is to model the free response of the bridge after the load has left • Use the velocity and displacement of the bridge at the instant the load leaves the bridge • Requires a modal approach Limitations of Fryba Formula • Theoretical limitations – Ignores vehicle characteristics • More complex bridge forms would require different closed form solutions – Multiple spans – Variable sections • Can’t incorporate track and wheel irregularities Lecture 4 Numerical Modelling – Time-Stepping Advantages of Numerical Approach • • • • Bridges of all types can be modelled Track irregularites can be incorporated Wheel irregularities can be incorporated Vehicle response can be incorporated • But! – Each run is unique and if track and wheel irregularities are incorporated a large amount of data is required Moving Mass Models • Potentially less accurate than moving force because the sprung mass will be lumbed with the unsprung mass Moving Mass Term • Moving mass terms show the errors involved in using moving forces Moving Train Models Moving Train Models