Response of periodic railway bridges accounting for dynamic soil-structure interaction

Predicting the dynamic response of long multi-span railway bridges with 3D element-based models is a computationally challenging task, especially if dynamic soil-structure interaction (SSI) is to be accounted for. In this paper, the wave finite element method (WFEM) is used to exploit periodicity. The methodology fully accounts for wave propagation in the superstructure as well as through-soil coupling between neighboring foundations. A simplified case study of an infinitely long viaduct founded on piled foundations is presented. The influence of the soil stiffness and span length on the response is investigated.