| Abstract: | Single span highway bridges of composite construction are idealized as beams as well as orthotropic plates. A standard HS–20–44 highway vehicle is represented by a planar, two-axle, sprung mass system with frictional device. The response equations are derived in terms of the natural modal co-ordinates of the bridge and of displacement co-ordinates of the vehicle. The road surface irregularities, generally found at the junctions of the approach road and bridge ends, are idealized as a 45° ramp. The maximum impact factors for bending moment and deflection are obtained due to the ramp and in combination with the braking of vehicle for symmetric as well as essentric loading of the vehicle. |
