Publication information Journal of Bridge Engineering, 11 (2) : 241-249 Publisher American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) Link to online version http://dx.Abstract Many authors, using both experimental tests and complex numerical models, have examined the effect of vehicle velocity on a highway bridge's dynamic amplification. Although these tests and models give valuable quantitative information on dynamic amplification, they give little insight into how amplification is affected by

more »

... ual vehicle/bridge parameters. This paper uses relatively simple numerical models to investigate the effect of vehicle velocity on a bridge's dynamic amplification. A single vehicle crossing a simply supported bridge is modeled as a constant point force. A set of critical velocities are determined associated with peaks of dynamic amplification for all beams. The reasons for these large amplifications are discussed. A more complex finite element model, validated with field tests, is used to test the applicability of the conclusions obtained from the simple models to a realistic bridge/vehicle system.