Computer simulation for dynamic wheel loads of heavy vehicles

The characteristics of dynamic wheel loads of heavy vehicles running on bridge and rigid surface are investigated by using three-dimensional analytical model. The simulated dynamic wheel loads of vehicles are compared with the experimental results carried out by Road-Vehicles Research Institute of Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) to verify the validity of the analytical model. Also another comparison of the analytical result with the experimental one for Umeda Entrance Bridge of Hanshin Expressway in Osaka, Japan, is presented in this study. The agreement between the analytical and experimental results is satisfactory and encouraging the use of the analytical model in practice. Parametric study shows that the dynamic increment factor (DIF) of the bridge and RMS values of dynamic wheel loads are fluctuated according to vehicle speeds and vehicle types as well as roadway roughness conditions. Moreover, there exist strong dominant frequency resemblance between bounce motion of vehicle and bridge response as well as those relations between RMS values of dynamic wheel loads and dynamic increment factor (DIF) of bridges.