Bridge dynamics in the 21st century

Abstract eng:
There is a wide spread misconception that the numerical methods employed in Computational Mechanics (The Finite Element Method, the Discrete Element Method and the Boundary Element Method) are recent developments of the 21st Century. The reality is that the backbone of the majority of these numerical techniques have been developed more than thirty years ago, being its earlier application limited to very small problems as a result of the lack of computational capacity of the then available personal computers. The huge advances in the computational power that have taken place in the last 15 years made feasible the use of these advanced analysis methods to model structures with ever-increasing levels of complexity. In the particular case of Bridge Dynamics, this has finally allowed bridge Engineers to approach the problems of moving vehicular loads on highway and railway bridges as a fully dynamic problem. This paper will focus on the available methods to perform such type of analysis with emphasis given to the relative advantages and shortcomings of each approach. This will be complemented by a real life case study, in which the author has been directly involved.

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