A Vehicle–bridge Linear Interaction Model and Its Validation

A linear wheel–rail interaction model for the vehicle–bridge coupling system is presented in this paper. The vehicle subsystem is modeled by the rigid-body dynamics method, the bridge subsystem by both the direct stiffness method and superposition method, and the wheel–rail interaction by the "corresponding assumption" and simplified Kalker creep theory. Based on the above modeling for the wheel–rail interaction system, linear simultaneous equations are established and solved. As a case study, the response of the Pioneer train traversing a 24 m simply–supported girder bridge is calculated. The proposed analysis procedure is validated through comparison of the calculated results with the measured ones. Also, some vibration characteristics of the system are discussed.