Dynamic response of Euler-Bernoulli beams to resonant harmonic moving loads

The dynamic response of Euler-Bernoulli beams to resonant harmonic moving loads is analysed. The non-dimensional form of the motion equation of a beam crossed by a moving harmonic load is solved through a perturbation technique based on a two-scale temporal expansion, which permits a straightforward interpretation of the analytical solution. The dynamic response is expressed through a harmonic function slowly modulated in time, and the maximum dynamic response is identified with the maximum of the slow-varying amplitude. In case of ideal Euler-Bernoulli beams with elastic rotational springs at the support points, starting from analytical expressions for eigenfunctions, closed form solutions for the time-history of the dynamic response and for its maximum value are provided. Two dynamic factors are discussed: the Dynamic Amplification Factor, function of the non-dimensional speed parameter and of the structural damping ratio, and the Transition Deamplification Factor, function of the sole ratio between the two non-dimensional parameters. The influence of the involved parameters on the dynamic amplification is discussed within a general framework. The proposed procedure appears effective also in assessing the maximum response of real bridges characterized by numerically-estimated mode shapes, without requiring burdensome step-by-step dynamic analyses.