Mathematical Analysis and Numerical Computation of String Vibration Equations with Elastic Supports for Bridge Cable Force Evaluation

TL;DR

This paper develops a mathematical framework for analyzing string vibration equations with elastic supports in bridge cables, comparing classical and weak solutions, and explores the use of PINNs as an alternative to FEM for improved modeling efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mathematical model for string vibrations with elastic supports and demonstrates the advantages of weak solutions and PINNs over traditional methods.

Findings

Weak solutions improve modeling efficiency.

PINNs can replace FEM for this problem.

Weak solutions simplify well-posedness analysis.

Abstract

This study focuses on a critical aspect of bridge engineering -- the evaluation of cable forces, paying particular attention to the cables that are internally constrained by elastic supports. Detecting these cable forces is important for the safety and stability of bridges. The practical problem introduces a novel mathematical challenge: how to effectively address string vibration equations with one or multiple internal elastic supports,~which remains a theoretical issue not fully solved in engineering. To tackle this, it is necessary to firstly establish an appropriate mathematical model and accurately define initial-boundary value problems. We then formulate the well-posedness of the solution using both classical and weak solution approaches, supplementing the existing numerical results available in engineering. Meanwhile, we attempt to use PINNs (Physics-Informed Neural Networks) instead of traditional FEM (Finite Element Method) in engineering. Consequently, in contrast to the classical solution method, we demonstrate that for a string with finite elastic supports, the weak solution method not only improves mathematical modeling efficiency but also simplifies the process of explaining the well-posedness of the solution.