Dynamic Response of Multi-bay Frames Subjected to Successive Moving Forces

This paper investigates the dynamic responses of multi-bay frames with identical bay lengths subjected to a transverse single moving load and successive moving loads with a constant interval at a constant speed. The effects of the bay length and the speed of the moving load on the response of the multi-bay frame subjected to a single point load are investigated numerically by the finite element method. A computer code is developed by using MATLAB to perform the finite element analysis. The Newmark method is employed to solve for the dynamic responses of the multi-bay frame. With this, the dynamic response of the frame subjected to successive moving loads with a constant interval is investigated. Also, the resonance and cancellation speeds are determined by using the 3D relationship of speed parameter-force span length to beam length ratio-dynamic magnification factor and the associated contour lines. The maximum impact factor of a 1-bay frame and multi-bay frames under single moving load are determined at the specific speed parameters. Those values are independent of elastic modulus, area moment of inertia, beam/column lengths of the frame and also the number of bays forming the frame. It is also found that the first resonance response in the vertical direction of the frame is related to the second mode of vibration.