Long-term loss assessment of coastal bridges from hurricanes incorporating overturning failure mode

Deming Zhu,Peng Yuan,You Dong,Yaohan Li

doi:10.1186/s43251-020-00030-7

Deming Zhu, Peng Yuan + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43251-020-00030-7

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Abstract

Coastal highway bridge is an essential component of the transportation system but threatened by natural hazards such as hurricanes. Damaged highway bridges result in not only transportation disruption, but also tremendous financial, societal, and life loss. Therefore, vulnerability and loss assessments of bridges under hurricane events are becoming primary concerns for decision-makers. This study provides an elaborate framework to assess the vulnerability and long-term loss of coastal bridges subjected to hurricane hazards based on three-dimensional (3D) numerical analyses. A 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) numerical model is established to investigate wave-bridge interaction and a Finite Element (FE) model is established for the bridge to calculate structural responses under wave impacts. Based on the numerical results, the effects of wave force and overturning moment on structural capacity are studied and a probabilistic vulnerability model is developed. Structural demand, capacity, and limit states are determined, respectively. Uncertainties associated with wave parameters, structural capacity, and material properties, and the resulting consequences are considered. Then, fragility curves are calculated, and long-term damage loss is assessed. The proposed approach can benefit the management and design of coastal bridges against the impacts of hurricane hazards.

Highlights

Coastal highway bridge, as a crucial component of the transportation system, is exposed to increasing failure risk from worldwide natural disasters such as hurricanes in recent years
This study aims to perform probabilistic vulnerability and long-term loss analyses of coastal bridges subjected to hurricane hazards based on an insightful exploration of the wave-deck interaction. 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model and Finite Element (FE) models for the investigated bridge are established to explore wave influences and structural responses
6 Conclusions This study provides an elaborate framework to assess the vulnerability and long-term loss of coastal bridge subjected to hurricane hazards based on 3D numerical analyses

Summary

Introduction

As a crucial component of the transportation system, is exposed to increasing failure risk from worldwide natural disasters such as hurricanes in recent years. Loss analysis may calculate a biased result due to the lack of in-depth understanding of structural responses To address these issues, this study aims to perform vulnerability and long-term loss assessment of a coastal bridge subjected to hurricane disasters based on a detailed structural analysis. Xu and Cai (2015a) utilized a simplified spring and damper system to simulate the connection between bridge superstructure and substructure, which could not fully address bearing constraints for practical engineering design All these studies pointed out the necessity of a systematic structural response analysis of coastal bridge under wave impacts. This study aims to perform probabilistic vulnerability and long-term loss analyses of coastal bridges subjected to hurricane hazards based on an insightful exploration of the wave-deck interaction.

Wave force and overturning moment on bridge deck computed by 3D CFD model

Bridge structural responses under wave impact based on FE numerical analysis

Probabilistic vulnerability model for coastal bridge under wave impact

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Conclusions