Dong Hai Bridge – Design and Test of 10,000DWT Collision Protection for Piers on Main Navigational Channel

Abstract

Design of Dong Hai Bridge (also known as East Ocean Bridge or East Sea Bridge) considers collision of up to 10,000DWT ships in the main navigational channel. Collision protective dolphins are installed at main piers. This paper describes the design concept and corresponding tests on collision protection for the project. Fixed dolphins are at main piers installed in the transverse direction to the bridge alignment and steel pipe piles are used as foundation. Physical ship collision modelling was made by simulation of the dolphin and ship stiffnesses, which determined the design standard for collision force and provided basis for the shape and design of the dolphins. Integration of dolphins and piers was also proposed Dolphins consisting of a steel spatial structure are at main piers installed as protection along the bridge axis. Mathematical modelling and physical model tests were also undertaken in order to identify the influence of dolphins to wave load on piers, and in order to verify the feasibility and give guidance to design of the steel dolphins.