Numerically efficient dynamic analysis of barge collisions with bridge piers

Assessing the structural response and vulnerability of bridge piers to collisions by barges typically involves either the use of static pier analysis codes and design-specification-stipulated equivalent static loading conditions, or a lengthy model development process followed by use of general-purpose finite-element codes. In this paper, an alternative approach is proposed that leverages the capabilities of existing nonlinear dynamic pier analysis programs by adding dynamic barge behavior in a computationally efficient and modular manner. By coupling nonlinear barge and pier responses together through a shared collision impact force and employing numerical procedures for accelerating convergence of the coupled system, dynamic barge collision analyses may be conducted for bridge piers efficiently and rapidly. The influence of impact parameters such as barge type and mass, impact speed and angle, and pier configuration can then be efficiently evaluated using dynamic collision analyses. For demonstration purposes, the method is implemented in an existing pier analysis program, validated, and used to conduct selected case studies.