Research on Models of a Highway Bridge Subjected to a Moving Vehicle Based on the LS-DYNA Simulator

Abstract

Based on the LS-DYNA program, a vehicle’s wheel is simulated by linear elastic material rubber and steel, and internal pressure in all tires is defined. Rotation of vehicle wheel 3D models is simulated through appropriate rotation and cylinder- shape constraints. The dynamic characteristics of the vehicle suspension system are simulated by using spring damper elements combined with dynamic characteristics of the vehicle suspension system. The theoretical quality distribution is well matched with practical systems by adjusting unit size and distribution. A fine finite vehicle element model is established to research the vibration response of vehicle-bridge coupling dynamic response based on a 3-axle heavy vehicle. Comparison of simulated and measured values of vehicle axle load applying natural frequency FEM is performed to verify the validity of the model. Taking a simply supported beam bridge as an example, LS-DYNA finite element software and MATLAB are used to simulate and analyze the mass-spring-damping vibration system, and the bridge vibration response subjected to vehicle load at constant speed is researched comparatively. The results show the feasibility of using a LS-DYNA fine model to analyze vehicle-bridge coupling vibration, but the computational workload is very high for this model.