Fundamental modal properties of simply supported railway bridges considering soil-structure interaction effects

In this paper, a simplified discrete model for calculating the modal parameters of the fundamental vertical mode of a simple beam on viscoelastic supports is proposed. Exact closed-form expressions for the fundamental natural frequency and modal damping ratio of the aforementioned coupled system are derived, as a function of the beam geometry and the foundation impedances. Using this model, the effect of the dynamic stiffness and dissipation capacity of the foundation-soil system on the modal characteristics of the fundamental vertical mode of the railway beam bridges is investigated and discussed. The proposed closed-form expressions, in combination with the impedance functions of different foundation-soil systems, can clarify the main features of dynamic SSI analysis of the railway beam bridges and lead to review the recommended modal damping ratios in the code provisions and design manuals.