'ROAD-FRIENDLY' SUSPENSIONS AND SHORT SPAN BRIDGES

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation aimed at developing an understanding of the influence of truck suspensions on the dynamic response of short span bridges. Three bridges were instrumented and their dynamic response to the air or steel-suspended test vehicles recorded. For two of these bridges the dynamic wheel forces and the bridge response were simultaneously acquired. The bridges were chosen to have natural frequencies in the range of axle hop frequencies in order to investigate possible resonance effects. The paper details the vehicle and the bridge response and the interaction between them. These include dynamic increments that exceed 100% and dynamic coupling between axle hop vibrations and the bridge that can result in 10 damage cycles during the passage of a vehicle. The bridge response is shown to be sensitive to the natural frequency of the bridge, the suspension of the vehicle, its speed and the road roughness. The bridge friendliness of 'road-friendly' suspensions is discussed in the light of experimental evidence. (a) For the covering entry of this Session, please see IRRD abstract no 868153.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    ARRB

    Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
  • Authors:
    • Heywood, R J
  • Publication Date: 1995-1

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 39-65
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00715709
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: ARRB
  • ISBN: 0-86910-656-2
  • Files: ITRD, ATRI
  • Created Date: Jan 31 1996 12:00AM