Flexural wave band gaps of steel bridge decks periodically stiffened with U-ribs: Mechanism and influencing factors

Abstract

To effectively and efficiently control vibrations in steel bridge decks, the flexural wave band gap and vibration attenuation mechanism are studied. The band structures and displacement fields of the eigenmodes at the band gap edges of infinite periodic U-rib stiffened plates are calculated. The calculation method is combining the finite element method with Bloch periodic boundary conditions. A scaled specimen test of a finite periodic U-rib stiffened plate is used to validate the numerical results. A comparison of results confirms that introducing the U-rib allows the periodic U-rib stiffened plates to yield several flexural wave band gaps. In the band gaps, flexural wave propagation is stopped and clear flexural vibration suppression is achieved. Furthermore, the effects of geometric parameters and structural schemes on the flexural wave band gaps are analyzed in detail. Finally, by analyzing a specific case, it is demonstrated that the flexural wave band gaps and vibration attenuation properties can be controlled. This provides a new approach to vibration and noise control in steel bridges.