Civil Engineering Infrastructures Journal

Civil Engineering Infrastructures Journal

Prediction of Dynamic Load Factor in Curved Box-Girder Bridges under High-Speed Trains using ANN

Authors
1 Civil Engineering Department, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India
2 School of Engineering and Technology, CGC University, Mohali, India
3 Civil Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, India.
4 Civil Engineering Department, Graphic Era University, Dehradun, India.
5 Department of Civil Engineering, Aditya University, Surampalem, India.
Abstract
Forecasting the dynamic behavior of curved thin-walled box-girder bridges subjected to high-speed train loads is computationally demanding yet crucial for evaluating structural integrity. This study seeks to assess the Dynamic Load Factor (DLF) through a comprehensive framework that ensures high precision while markedly decreasing computing demands. A detailed coupled dynamic model was created, including a 38-degree-of-freedom train system, a three-layer slab track, and a thin-walled box-girder bridge. The system addressed rail irregularities through power spectral density (PSD) and wheel-rail interactions based on Hertzian contact theory. The resultant data trained a feedforward artificial neural network (ANN) employing the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. The model utilized span length and bridge damping as input variables to forecast essential structural responses, such as shear force, bending, torsion, and distortion. The ANN model attained exceptional prediction accuracy, with regression coefficients (R) above 0.99 and negligible mean squared error (MSE) across all datasets. The results illustrate the model's capacity to precisely identify intricate nonlinear correlations between structural factors and dynamic outputs. This research presents a unique method for the rapid evaluation of bridge behavior by combining a robust finite element framework with a data-driven surrogate model and particularly suitable for real-time structural optimization in high-speed rail engineering.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 July 2026

  • Receive Date 01 January 2026
  • Revise Date 01 July 2026
  • Accept Date 22 July 2026