Response of Continuous Periodically Supported Guideway Beams to Traveling Vehicle Loads

Abstract

The response of continuous span periodically supported guideway beams to traveling vehicle loads is determined using Fourier transform techniques. Vehicle loads are assumed to travel at constant speed with constant magnitude and may be spacially concentrated or distributed to represent wheeled, air cushion, or magnetic suspension vehicles. Guideway dynamic amplification factors and deflection profiles are presented in detail for the single concentrated traveling load. Operating regions in which dynamic resonance conditions occur are identified, and the influence of span damping is evaluated. Guidelines for the formulation of finite span approximations to the infinite continuous span guideway are also developed.