Loading Definition and Design of Bridge Piers Impacted by Medium-Weight Trucks

Abstract

Computational simulation was used to investigate the collision process between medium-weight, single-unit trucks and reinforced concrete bridge piers. The simulation results were used to formulate and calibrate a pulse model to describe, in a simplified manner, the dynamic force demands imposed on a bridge pier by a colliding truck. Key parameters in the force demand model were impact speed, truck weight, and pier dimensions. Accuracy of the proposed demand model was assessed by comparing the damage modes and displacement profiles of piers subjected to impact by the computational truck model and an equivalent, simplified pulse model. Extensive numerical simulations were carried out using the developed pulse model to identify prominent failure mechanisms. Damage levels were quantified through the use of macrolevel deformation parameters, such as plastic rotation and shear distortion. It was shown that shear damage can be substantially reduced by using capacity design theory to proportion the piers.