Effect of vertical support on highway bridge superstructures

Abstract A Fourier series expansion is used to obtain the deflection, moment, shear, velocity, and acceleration expressions for a multispan highway bridge superstructure under the effects of vertical support motion. These expressions are used in computer programs that compute the maximum values along the bridge span. The formulation is also used to show the feasibility of creating nondimensionalized design aids that may be used in industry. A finite element analysis is used to help verify the results.