Analysis of the Wave Localization in a Disordered Periodic Bridge with Pile–Soil–Water–Structure Coupling

In this study, the wave localization in a disordered periodic bridge (DPB) with the pile–soil–water–structure (PSWS) coupling is investigated For simplicity, each span of the bridge is assumed to be composed of a pile foundation, a pier, two composite beams and three linking springs. To determine the compliances of the pile foundations, the pile–soil–water (PSW) interaction is simulated by the boundary element method (BEM). In terms of the compliances of the piles and the transfer matrices of the piers and beams, the transfer matrices of the spans of the periodic bridge are derived, by which the wave transfer matrices of the spans are obtained. Using Wolf's algorithm and the wave transfer matrices obtained, the localization factor characterizing the wave localization in the DPB is determined. With the proposed model, the effect of the beam-length disorder on wave localization is examined. Moreover, based on the wave transfer matrix method, the wave mode of a DPB segment and the wave conversion and power flow in the DPB segment are investigated. Numerical results show that due to the energy transmission from the superstructure of the bridge to the half-space soil via the pile foundations, the power flow associated with a complexband wave along the open DPB is usually nonzero and the power flow of a pseudo passband wave along the spans of the open DPB is no longer a constant.