Analysis of bridge response to barge collision: Refined impact force models and some new insights

This article presents finite element simulations of bridge-barge collision using a representative Jumbo Hopper barge model and a bridge pier model with a squared cross section. Based on the simulation results and also the conservation principles of kinetic energy and linear momentum, refined simplified impact force history models for both elastic and inelastic collisions are developed. The simplified force models take into account the influences of barge impact velocity, barge loading tonnage and pier size. The proposed force models are validated through comparisons on the impact force time histories and response spectra with other impact force models. With a three-span continuous girder bridge, the participation of different bridge modal responses and modal combination rules are also investigated. A new modal combination rule is proposed for quantifying the maximum responses due to barge impact load.