An analysis methodology is proposed to evaluate the dynamical effects, displacements and stresses, on highway bridge decks, due to vehicles crossing on the rough pavement surfaces defined by a probabilistic model. To this purpose, the methodology is developed to evaluate the vehicle-structure response under a full probabilistic formulation, running in the frequency domain. The mathematical model assumes a finite element representation of the beam like deck and the vehicle simulation uses concentrated parameters of mass, stiffness and damping. The deck surface roughness is defined by a well known power spectrum density of road pavement profiles. The moving load is formed by an infinite succession of equally spaced vehicles moving with constant velocity. Only steady-state response is considered. Response data are produced on concrete box girder elements assembled as a simple beam. Conclusions are concerned with the fitness of the developed analysis methodology and the mathematical model adequacy.
Bridge Structural Dynamics; Highway Bridges; Bridge Pavement Roughness