Experimental and Analytical Study of High-Level Barge Deformation for Barge–Bridge Collision Design

Abstract

Specifications used in the design of bridges that cross barge-navigable waterways typically use, as a subcomponent of the impact-load calculation process, a barge force–deformation (crush) relationship. Such relationships model the nonlinear stiffness of the impacting barge and directly influence computed impact forces. Primarily because of logistical challenges, few studies have been conducted to experimentally quantify barge force-deformation data. A variety of analytical studies have been conducted to partially address this lack of experimental data, and to facilitate development of improved crush relationships. However, there remains a need for experimental data to validate analytically derived crush relationships, particularly at high barge-deformation levels. In this paper, an integrated experimental and analytical investigation of barge force–deformation behavior under high-energy impact loading is presented. Results from impact tests involving reduced-scale replicates of jumbo-hopper barge bows and impactors with two distinct surface geometries (e.g., circular and rectangular) are reported. Measured force and deformation data confirm several key findings previously identified through numerical simulation; for example, that rounded bridge surfaces produce smaller impact forces than flat (i.e., rectangular) surfaces.