Dynamic Response of a Floating Bridge Structure

Abstract

A theoretical overview of the stochastic dynamic analysis of a floating bridge structure is presented. Emphasis is on the wave-induced response and the waves on the sea surface are idealized as a zero mean stationary Gaussian process. The first-order wave load processes are derived using linear potential theory and the structural idealization is based on the Finite Element Method. A frequency response calculation is presented for a simplified floating bridge structure example emphasising the influence on von Mises stress in the pontoon from low- and high frequency waves and frequency dependence in hydrodynamic added mass and damping coefficients.