Theoretical response of a simply supported beam with a strain rate dependant modulus to a moving load

Moving load problems typically consider a structural material with properties that do not vary while the load traverses the structure. However, there is evidence that for some materials the structure will respond with a higher modulus of elasticity than that corresponding to a static test for sufficiently high strain rates. This paper investigates the variation in strain rate of a simply supported beam made of a viscoelastic material traversed by a moving load and its effect on the modulus of elasticity. The influence of speed and magnitude of the moving load on the displacement and strain responses of the beam is discussed.