Impact resistance of bridge columns with energy-absorbing crash dampers under vehicle collisions

Abstract

Bridge structures are often vulnerable to vehicle collisions, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance safety. This paper introduces a concept employing energy-absorbing crash dampers to safeguard bridge structures. The primary objective is to optimize energy dissipation while ensuring uninterrupted bridge functionality. Utilizing the finite element modeling approach, and incorporating realistic constitutive relationships and boundary conditions, simulations were performed to encompass X-shaped damper impact tests and collisions involving trucks with steel-reinforced concrete columns. The study affirms the effectiveness of the numerical model in simulating the dynamic response of steel dampers and column structures under vehicle impacts. Leveraging this modeling approach, this research compares the anti-collision performance of urban bridge structures, both with and without the proposed bridge pier. The methodology involves two key steps: first, a response surface optimization analysis is conducted for the primary energy-absorbing component, the anti-collision hollow diamond-shaped damper, determining optimal dimensions for the device at varying vehicle collision speeds. Second, a comparative study explores failure modes, collision capabilities, deflection changes, and energy absorption of bridge structures with and without the energy-absorbing crash dampers under vehicle impacts. Subsequently, this study performs an optimization design and calculation for the bridge structures. The outcomes reveal that the bridge with the pier experiences a substantial reduction in impact peak force. The damper effectively absorbs part of impact energy, with the optimized damper demonstrating superior energy absorption.