Traffic-induced vibrations on a simple frame: Influence of external action coherence on structural response

The study of the traffic-induced response of a simple frame structure is presented. In particular, the effect of the spatial correlation, among the traffic-induced ground displacements, is discussed by means of a parametric study to achieve the purpose of outlining those configurations yielding the less-conservative structural response. Ground excitations are estimated by the model of Hunt (J. Sound Vib. 1991; 1:41–51; J. Sound Vib. 1991; 1:53–70) assuming a quarter-car vehicle model moving on an uneven roadway placed on the top of a homogeneous half-space. The structure consists of a rigid slab supported by four columns and subjected by traffic-induced forces suitably condensed in its center of mass.