Multiple and Continuous Span Elevated Guideway-Vehicle Dynamic Performance

Abstract

Analyses are developed to determine the dynamic performance of vehicles interacting with single, multiple, and continuous span elevated structures. Operating conditions in which multispan resonant conditions occur are identified, and the resulting resonant amplitudes computed. Guideway design examples considering tracked, levitated vehicles are described to illustrate the influence of span configuration and vehicle speed and suspension properties upon guideway span design for vehicle-guideway systems required to provide specified passenger comfort levels. For the 150 and 300 mph (242 and 483 km/h) vehicle systems considered, continuous and multispan guideway configurations were found to have reduced span material requirements in comparison to single span systems which provide the same level of passenger comfort.