Vehicle Collision with Bridge Piers

TLDR

Such collisions have occurred in the past, sometimes with catastrophic consequences. The study aims to extract key metrics from finite‑element results to better understand vehicle‑pier crash dynamics and critique current design specifications. Inelastic transient finite‑element simulations of two truck types colliding with two bridge‑pier systems at speeds between 55 and 135 kph were performed, and the extracted data were used to analyze crash demands and validate the model through supplementary exercises. Simulations indicate that existing collision design provisions may be inadequate, leaving some bridge piers vulnerable to accidental or malicious heavy‑truck impacts.

Abstract

Inelastic transient finite element simulations are used to investigate the demands generated during collisions between vehicles and bridge piers. Such collisions have occurred in the past, sometimes with catastrophic consequences. Two different types of trucks and two different bridge/pier systems are used in the simulations. The approach speeds for the trucks range from 55 to 135 kph. Various quantities of interest are extracted from the finite element results and used to develop a better understanding of the vehicle/pier crash process and to critique current specifications addressing such events. Although physical vehicle–pier impact tests were not carried out as part of this research, a variety of exercises are conducted to provide confidence in the analysis results. The simulations show that current collision design provisions could be unconservative and that there may be a population of bridge piers that are vulnerable to accidental or malicious impact by heavy trucks.