Meta-Modeling Based Consistent Mass Spring Model for Seismic Response Analysis of Bridge Structure

Abstract

Based on meta-modeling which allocates structural mechanics as mathematical approximation of continuum mechanics, we propose a consistent mass spring model (CMSM) for structural seismic response analysis; the consistency guarantees agreement of dynamic characteristics of CMSM with a solid element model. We develop a method of constructing CMSM and verify the method using a simple example. We apply the method to a part of highway bridge consisting of deck and a few piers. It is shown that the constructed CMSM has identical dynamic characteristics of the original model, and is able to estimate dynamic responses such as displacement and cross-sectional forces.