Open Access

ARTICLE

Dynamic Performance of Long-Span Continuous Beam Bridges under Autonomous Truck Platooning

Zhihua Xiong, Xiaoling Liu^*, Yinfeng Wang

Affiliation: Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315832, China

* Corresponding Author: Xiaoling Liu. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Intelligent Operation and Maintenance Applications for Bridge Structures)

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring 2026, 20(2), 14 https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2025.074619

Received 14 October 2025; Accepted 08 December 2025; Issue published 31 March 2026

Abstract

Autonomous truck platooning, as a novel transportation mode, has attracted significant attention due to its potential to improve transportation efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower operational costs. However, this emerging mode poses new challenges to the dynamic performance of long-span bridges. This study aims to investigate the impact of autonomous truck platoons on the dynamic performance of continuous beam bridges. Using finite element software to construct accurate vehicle-bridge interaction models, we simulated the dynamic response between vehicle platoons and bridge structures. The study systematically evaluated the effects of four key factors—vehicle speed, number of formations, vehicle spacing, and vehicle weight—on mid-span deformation and the dynamic amplification factor of bridges. Taking a long-span continuous beam bridge as the research object and employing orthogonal experimental design methods, we efficiently explored the multi-factor interactive effects on bridge dynamic response. Research results indicate that vehicle speed is the dominant factor affecting the bridge dynamic coefficient, showing a significant positive correlation. The interaction between vehicle spacing and the number of formations has a substantial impact on the dynamic coefficient, particularly under conditions of high-speed operation, large-scale formations, tight vehicle spacing, and heavy-load multi-factor coupling. These conditions can significantly increase mid-span bridge deformation and the dynamic coefficient, potentially exceeding design live-load standard value in specific scenarios. Based on the experimental results, this study recommends that truck formations strictly control vehicle speed during operation, maintain appropriate vehicle spacing, limit the number of formations, and regulate loading conditions to ensure normal bridge operation and long-term durability. The research findings provide scientific guidance for optimizing truck formation strategies and ensuring bridge safety.

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