Researchers at the Center used worked on providing an estimation of the dynamic force of an errant heavy vehicle upon impacting a bridge pier using simulations methodology. Simulation was also used to design the experimental setup to confirm the finite element prediction of the impact force. Extensive simulation cases were conducted using full scale model of a tractor trailer truck and a heavy single unit dump truck.
Predictive simulation and testing of a tractor trailer impacting an instrumented pier at time of impact (left) and at time=0.232 seconds (right).
References
-
C.E. Buth, M.S. Brackin, L.S. Chatham, D.L. Bullard, R.R. Haug, W.F. Williams, G. Fry, D. Lord, S.R. Geedipally, A. Abu-Odeh, W.L. Menges. Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions. 9-4973-P2. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2011.
-
C.E. Buth, M.S. Brackin, W.F. Williams, G. Fry. Collision Loads on Bridge Piers: Phase 2. Report of Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions. 9-4973-2. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2011.
-
C.E. Buth, M.S. Brackin, W.F. Williams, G. Fry, D. Lord, S.R. Geedipally, A. Abu-Odeh. Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions. 9-4973-S. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2010.
-
C.E. Buth, W.F. Williams, M.S. Brackin, D. Lord, S.R. Geedipally, A. Abu-Odeh. Analysis of Large Truck Collisions with Bridge Piers: Phase 1. Report of Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions. 9-4973-1. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. May 2010.