Dynamic Structural Analysis of Light Weight Guideways Used for Personal Rapid Transit Systems

Project summary:

The objective of this study is to determine the lightest possible guideway consistent with both strength and human ride comfort. In this study, the guideway will be modeled in terms of its vertical, lateral and torsional stiffness, mass distribution, span length and curvature, and the elastic properties of the supports. Loads on the guideway will be due to the weight of the guideway, dynamic forces due to the movement of the vehicles including acceleration/deceleration forces, and wind forces on the guideway and vehicles. Vehicles will be assumed to be under asynchronous control, which means that the vehicles will be spaced randomly until a pre-specified minimum spacing is reached.