This research project addresses the vehicle-superstructure interaction problem which results from a vehicle traversing a highway girder bridge. The project will yield a better prediction and understanding of the load distribution characteristic and the dynamic effect of traversing vehicles on girder bridges. This insight is to be obtained through application of a developed analytical methodology and extensive comparison to existing field data, resulting in formulation of design recommendations. This investigation is necessitated by the uncertainties associated with current design practices which have been shown to be either overly conservative or unsafe under general traversing vehicular loading. The analytical methodology considers the vehicle-superstructure interaction problem based upon either a moving-mass, moving-force, or static live load formulation. The kinematic coupling, due to the velocity of the traversing vehicle, is described within and is included in the moving-mass formulation. The analytical methodology is based upon the finite element method, and the necessary algorithms for each formulation are derived. The direct integration solution approach is employed, allowing for future expansion into nonlinear behavior and inclusion of substructure interaction.
