The qualitative influence of model parameters on the dynamic response of a viaduct

The qualitative influence of several model parameters on the dynamic response of a railways viaduct, modelled after an actual structure located in Santana do Cartaxo, Portugal, is analysed through a parametric statistical analysis. Two-level factorial experimentation was carried out with the help of a parametric model of the viaduct developed with ANSYS APDL. The range of values admitted for the key parameters and the corresponding deviations from mean values were evaluated from data made accessible by the road authorities and experience. For the sake of simplicity only one axle load was applied on a single module of the viaduct. It was concluded that the analysis of individual effects is satisfactory to obtain key results based on maximum displacements. Nevertheless, regarding peak accelerations, especially at the viaduct deck, interaction effects are important and the influence of key parameters cannot be analysed individually. Therefore, simultaneous consideration of several key parameters provides a better representation of reality associated with the application of statistical analysis.