Modified Method for Accurate Evaluation of Overturning Limit on Restrainer-Reinforced Single-Column Pier Bridges

Abstract

Single-column bridges are widely used for urban overpasses and highway bridges. Rising overturning incidents have exposed the vulnerability of this type of bridge, which is inherently susceptible to overturning collapse. A typical solution is to provide vertical restrainers at the beam ends. However, the current antioverturning calculation method was incapable of coordinating deformations between bridge components, which may have severe consequences in engineering practice. For example, the Huahu Viaduct, located in Hubei, China, experienced overturning failure even after applying vertical restrainers, which was not anticipated according to the current engineering experience. In this work, we proposed a modified calculation method regarding deformation coordination to predict the ultimate overturning capacity, verified through forensic investigation and numerical analysis, of the Huahu Viaduct. Compared with bridges without restrainers, overturning failures start with the failure of restrainers. Failure mechanisms are analyzed, including critical states and overturning features. Further comparison indicates that the practical method overestimates the ultimate overturning capacity by up to 38%, while the proposed method provides a more effective reference to this problem in engineering practice.