Dynamic and Impact Behavior of Half-Through Arch Bridges

The objective of this paper is to present the results of an investigation of the dynamic and impact characteristics of half-through arch bridges with rough decks caused by vehicles moving across them. Seven arch bridges modeled as three-dimensional structures with overall span lengths ranging from 20to200m(65.5to656.2ft) are analyzed. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Specifications HS20-44 truck is the applied vehicle loading used in the analysis and is simulated as a three-dimensional, nonlinear vehicle model with 11 degrees of freedom. Truck components include the body, suspension, and tires. The bridge deck surface is assumed to have a “good” surface roughness and is simulated using a stochastic process (power spectral density function). The effect on impact factors of span length, rise-to-span ratio, and vehicle speed is discussed. The results of the analyses show that the impact factors of bending moment and axial force will not exceed 0.4 and 0.25, respectively. The proposed impact equations are simple and conservative and can be used in the design of half-through arch bridges.