Dynamic responses of a vehicle–bridge–soil interaction system subjected to stochastic-type ice loads

To investigate the driving safety of vehicles travelling on bridges which cross the sea in cold regions, this study presented a dynamic analysis framework for a vehicle–bridge–soil interactive system subjected to stochastic ice loads. Time histories of the stochastic ice loading based on real ice loading spectrum were obtained to consider them as external forces inputs to the vehicle–bridge–soil interaction model. Dynamic responses of a five-span continuous box-girder bridge seated on pile-type foundations under twelve 12-DOF truck vehicles moving are investigated. These numerical analyses revealed that both the bridge and vehicle vertical responses were little affected by lateral ice loads, although their lateral responses were dominated by ice loads. For vehicle driving safety, the front axle tires were more prone to sideslip accidents than rear axle tires were: higher vehicle speed, larger ice loading magnitude, and more slippery pavement adversely affected driving safety. Quantitative analysis was also done using the present dynamic analysis framework. In the worst case studied herein, the front axle tires approached sideslip status, with only 5 kN sideslip force resistance.