Assessing the dynamic response of long-span bridges under simultaneous wind and traffic loads

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive framework to analyze the complex, non-linear interactions between wind and traffic loads on long-span bridges, improving accuracy in dynamic response assessment.

Contribution

It introduces a novel modeling approach that captures simultaneous wind-traffic interactions, moving beyond traditional independent load analysis.

Findings

Non-linear wind-traffic interactions significantly alter bridge responses.

The framework improves accuracy of performance assessments and design optimization.

Conventional assumptions may underestimate or misrepresent bridge behavior under combined loads.

Abstract

Wind-traffic interactions strongly influence the dynamic response of long-span bridges, yet loads are often analysed independently. This work models concurrent wind and traffic and demonstrates that it differs from linear superposition. Traffic is synthesised from volumes, composition, and vehicle dynamics, with vehicles represented as 3D systems. Vehicle-pavement interaction adopts ISO roughness with transverse coherence, and wind turbulence follows the K\'arm\'an spectrum with Davenport coherence. A quasi-steady aerodynamic model supports time-history analysis under combined actions. Results indicate non-linear interactions that change response, revealing limitations of conventional design assumptions. The framework enables accurate performance assessment and informs serviceability criteria and design optimisation for long-span bridges.