Dynamics of a beam on a bilinear elastic foundation under harmonic moving load

The present paper is concerned with the numerical modelization of the transient dynamic response of a simply supported Euler–Bernoulli elastic beam resting on a Winkler-type foundation, under the action of a transverse concentrated load, moving at a constant velocity along the beam, displaying an harmonic-varying magnitude in time. The elastic foundation, assumed as homogeneous in space, behaves according to a bilinear constitutive law, characterized by two different stiffness coefficients in compression and in tension. A finite element method approach coupled with a direct integration algorithm is developed for efficiently tracing the nonlinear dynamic response of the beam-foundation system. An original automated procedure is set, as being apt to resolve all required space/time discretization issues. Extensive parametric numerical analyses are performed to investigate how the frequency of the harmonic moving load amplitude and the ratio between the foundation’s moduli in compression and in tension affect the so-called critical velocities of the moving load, leading to high transverse beam deflections. Analytical interpolating expressions are proposed and fitted for the achieved two-branch critical velocity trends. The present outcomes shall reveal potential practical implications in scenarios of contemporary railway engineering, especially in terms of lowering down the admissible high-speed train velocities, as for structural requirement or preventing potential passenger discomfort.