DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A case study of protecting bridges against overheight vehicles

  • Aly, Aly Mousaad (Windstorm Impact, Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Lab, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University) ;
  • Hoffmann, Marc A. (Windstorm Impact, Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Lab, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University)
  • Received : 2020.03.04
  • Accepted : 2022.04.11
  • Published : 2022.04.25

Abstract

Most transportation departments have recognized and developed procedures to address the ever-increasing weights of trucks traveling on bridges in a service today. Transportation agencies also recognize the issues with overheight vehicles' collisions with bridges, but few stakeholders have definitive countermeasures. Bridges are becoming more vulnerable to collisions from overheight vehicles. The exact response under lateral impact force is difficult to predict. In this paper, nonlinear impact analysis shows that the degree of deformation recorded through the modeling of the unprotected vehicle-girder model provides realistic results compared to the observation from the US-61 bridge overheight vehicle impact. The predicted displacements are 0.229 m, 0.161 m, and 0.271 m in the girder bottom flange (lateral), bottom flange (vertical), and web (lateral) deformations, respectively, due to a truck traveling at 112.65 km/h. With such large deformations, the integrity of an impacted bridge becomes jeopardized, which in most cases requires closing the bridge for safety reasons and a need for rehabilitation. We proposed different sacrificial cushion systems to dissipate the energy of an overheight vehicle impact. The goal was to design and tune a suitable energy absorbing system that can protect the bridge and possibly reduce stresses in the overheight vehicle, minimizing the consequences of an impact. A material representing a Sorbothane high impact rubber was chosen and modeled in ANSYS. Out of three sacrificial schemes, a sandwich system is the best in protecting both the bridge and the overheight vehicle. The mitigation system reduced the lateral deflection in the bottom flange by 89%. The system decreased the stresses in the bridge girder and the top portion of the vehicle by 82% and 25%, respectively. The results reveal the capability of the proposed sacrificial system as an effective mitigation system.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The first author received funds from the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) under project number 16-4ST. Also, the first author received funds from the NSF I-Corps program at Louisiana State University. The findings are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the funding sponsors.

References

  1. Agrawal, A.K., Xu, X. and Chen, Z. (2011), "Bridge-Vehicle Impact assessment", Report No. C-07-10; City University of New York City College.
  2. ANSYS (2017), Academic Workbench, Release 18.2, Help System, ANSYS Inc., Westford, MA, USA. http://storage.ansys.com/doc_assets/release_notes/Release_Notes_182.pdf.
  3. ASCE (2017), ASCE's 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, Bridges, ASCE's 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, VA, USA. http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/cat-item/bridges/
  4. Asgari, M., Babaee, A. and Jamshidi, M. (2018), "Multi-objective optimization of tapered tubes for crashworthiness by surrogate methodologies", Steel Compos. Struct., 27(4), 427-438. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2018.27.4.427.
  5. Baaskaran, N., Ponappa, K. and Shankar, S. (2018), "Assessment of dynamic crushing and energy absorption characteristics of thin-walled cylinders due to axial and oblique impact load", Steel Compos. Struct., 28(2), 179-194. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2018.28.2.179.
  6. Brockman, R.A. and Held, T.W. (1991), "Explicit Finite Element Method for Transparency Impact Analysis," Report No. ADA243 527; University of Dayton Research Institute.
  7. Cao, R., Agrawal, A.K., El-Tawil, S. and Wong, W. (2021), "Overheight impact on bridges: A computational case study of the Skagit River bridge collapse", Eng. Struct., 237, 112215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112215.
  8. Chacon, P.J., Park, J.Y., Aly, A.M., Voyiadjis, G.Z. and Choi, J.W. (2021), "A moving vehicle height monitoring sensor system for overheight impact avoidance", Infrastructures, 6(6), 91. https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures6060091.
  9. Courant, R., Friedrichs, K. and Lewy, H. (1967), "On the partial difference equations of mathematical physics", IBM J. Res. Dev., 11(2), 215-234. https://doi.org/10.1147/rd.112.0215.
  10. Dai, F., Park, M.W., Sandidge, M. and Brilakis, I. (2015), "A vision-based method for on-road truck height measurement in proactive prevention of collision with overpasses and tunnels", Autom. Constr., 50, 29-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.005.
  11. Dang, X.K., Nguyen, V.C., Nguyen, T.P. and Vo, C.P. (2021), "A vision based system design for over-sized vessel detecting and warning using convolutional neural network", International Conference on Industrial Networks and Intelligent Systems, 416-430, Springer, Cham, Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77424-0_34.
  12. Doruk, E. (2017), "Steel processing effects on crash performance of vehicle safety related applications", Steel Compos. Struct., 24(3), 351-358. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2017.24.3.351.
  13. Elisar, A. (2015), Ramp Closure: US 61 North Bound access ramp to I-10 WB - Ascension Parish; Louisiana department of Transportation and Development, LA, USA. http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/announcement.aspx?key=8881.
  14. FHWA (2010), Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; American Traffic Safety Services Association, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Fredericksbrug, VA, USA. https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.
  15. Fu, C., Burhouse, J. and Chang, G. (2004), "Overheight vehicle collisions with highway bridges", Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board, 1865(1), 80-88. https://doi.org/10.3141/1865-12.
  16. Ghasemabadian, M.A., Kadkhodayan, M., Altenhof, W. and Liu, Y. (2021), "An experimental and numerical study on the crush responses and energy absorption characteristics of single-and bilayer cups under low-velocity impact", Steel Compos. Struct., 39(6), 665-683. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2021.39.6.665.
  17. Gibbs, T. (2015), Trucks hit same Durham bridge hours apart; ABC News, Traffic, New York, USA. https://abc11.com/traffic/trucks-hit-same-bridge-hoursapart/799167.
  18. Henn, J. (2019), About 11foot8; 11 foot 8, USA. http://11foot8.com/about/
  19. Hull, J. (2019), Bridge Strike Protection Beams - Stage 2; JF Hull Holdings Pty Ltd, Brendale, Queensland, Australia. http://www.jfhull.com/bridge-strike-protection-beams-stage-2.
  20. Hunchey, C.M. and Exley, S.F. (1990), "Overheight Vehicle Warning Systems in Mississippi", ITE J., 60(6), 24-29.
  21. Kozman, M. and Stevens, R. (2015), "Overheight vehicle detection system (OVDS)", 89th Annual Transportation Short Course, College Station, TX, October.
  22. LADOTD (2013), Louisiana regulations for trucks, vehicles and loads; Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, LA, USA. http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/dotdaz/definition.aspx?termID=217.
  23. Laservision (2019), SOFTSTOP Barrier System; Laservision, Dural, Australia. https://www.laservision.com.au/portfolio/softstop.
  24. NagarajaRao, N., Lohrmann, M. and Tall, L. (1966), "Effect of strain rate on the yield stress of structural steel", ASTM J. Mater., 1(1), 241-262.
  25. Nguyen, B. and Brilakis, I. (2016), "Understanding the problem of bridge and tunnel strikes caused by over-height vehicles", Transp. Res. Procedia, 14(2016), 3915-3924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2016.05.481.
  26. Nguyen, B., Brilakis, I. and Vela, P.A. (2016), "Vision-Based Over-height vehicle detection", Transportation Research Board 95th Annual Meeting, Washington DC., January.
  27. Oppong, K., Saini, D. and Shafei, B. (2021), "Ultrahigh-Performance concrete for improving impact resistance of bridge superstructures to overheight collision", J. Bridg. Eng., 26(9), 4021060. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0001736.
  28. Ozkaynak, H., Khajehdehi, A., Gullu, A., Azizisales, F., Yuksel, E. and Karadogan, F. (2018), "Uni-axial behavior of energy dissipative steel cushions", Steel Compos. Struct., 27(6), 661-674. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2018.27.6.661.
  29. Pekbey, Y., Aslantas, K. and Yumak, N. (2017), "Ballistic impact response of Kevlar Composites with filled epoxy matrix", Steel Compos. Struct., 22(4), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2017.24.2.191.
  30. Rosakis, A.J., Samudrala, O. and Coker, D. (1999), "Cracks faster than the shear wave speed", Science, 284(5418), 1337-1340. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.284.5418.1337.
  31. Salami, S.J. and Dariushi, S. (2018), "Geometrically nonlinear analysis of sandwich beams under low velocity impact: analytical and experimental investigation", Steel Compos. Struct., 27(3), 273-283. 10.12989/scs.2018.27.3.273.
  32. SDR Engineering Consultants (2021), US 61 AIRLINE HIGHWAY RAMP BRIDGE OVER I-10, SDR Engineering Consultants, Tallahassee, FL, USA. http://www.sdrengineering.com/portfolio/i-10-over-us-61.
  33. Sengupta, S. and Breen, J.E. (1973), "The effect of diaphragms in prestressed concrete girder and slab bridges," Ph.D. Dissertation; University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.
  34. Sharma, H., Hurlebaus, S. and Gardoni, P. (2008), "Development of a bridge bumper to protect bridge girders from overheight vehicle impacts", Comput. Civ. Infrastruct. Eng., 23(6), 41-426. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8667.2008.00548.x.
  35. Sinfield, J.V. (2010), "Synthesis study: Development of an electronic detection and warning system to prevent overheight vehicles from impacting overhead bridges", Report No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2009/30, Joint Transportation Research Program, Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University. http://doi.org/10.5703/1288284314276.
  36. Singhal, A. (2015), "LaRa-OHVD: An innovative over-height vehicle detection system to protect our bridges to prosperity", 2015 Intelligent Transportation Society of New York 22nd Annual Meeting, Saratoga Springs, New York, June.
  37. Sorbothane_Inc. (2019), Material Properties of Sorbothane; Sorbothane Inc., Ohio, USA. https://www.sorbothane.com/Data/Sites/31/pdfs/datasheets/101-sorbothane-material-properties.pdf.
  38. Springer, H., Baron, C., Szczepaniak, A., Uhlenwinkel, V. and Raabe, D. (2017), "Stiff, light, strong and ductile: Nano-structured high modulus steel", Sci. Rep., 7(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02861-3.
  39. Suresh, S. (2001), "Graded materials for resistance to contact deformation and damage", Science, 292(5526), 2447-2451. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1059716.
  40. TRIGG (2015), Over Height Vehicle Detection and Warning Systems (OHVDS); Trigg Industries International, Inc., VA, USA. http://www.triggindustries.com/images/ovds-powerpoint-presentation/Trigg_Industries_LLC-Presentation.pptx.
  41. Ugural, A.C. and Fenster, S.K. (2012), Advanced Mechanics of Materials and Applied Elasticity, 5th ed., Pearson Education, Inc. Boston, MA, USA.
  42. Vinayagar, K. and Kumar, A.S. (2017), "Multi-response optimization of crashworthiness parameters of bi-tubular structures", Steel Compos. Struct., 23(1), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2017.23.1.031.
  43. Wang, W., Ma, Y., Yang, M., Jiang, P., Yuan, F. and Wu, X. (2017), "Strain rate effect on tensile behavior for a high specific strength steel: From Quasi-Static to intermediate strain rates", Metals (Basel)., 8(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/met8010011.
  44. Wang, Y. and Ko, C. (2015), "Energy dissipation of steel-polymer composite beam-column connector", Steel Compos. Struct., 18(5), 1161-1176. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2015.18.5.1161.
  45. Yang, M., Qiao, P., McLean, D.I. and Khaleghi, B. (2010), "Effects of overheight truck impacts on intermediate diaphragms in prestressed concrete bridge girders.", Precast. Concr. Inst., 55(1), 58-78. https://trid.trb.org/view/914123.
  46. Zhang, Y., Pan, R. and Dias-da-Costa, D. (2021), "An energy-based method for assessing the equivalent static force of a vehicle collision with bridge columns", Struct. Infrastruct. Eng., 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2021.1895228.
  47. Zhao, W., Guo, Q., Dou, X., Zhou, Y. and Ye, Y. (2018), "Impact response of steel-concrete composite panels: Experiments and FE analyses", Steel Compos. Struct., 26(3), 255-263. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2018.26.3.255.
  48. Zhou, H., Guo, R., Bao, K., Wei, H. and Liu, R. (2019), "Energy absorption investigation of square CFRP honeycomb reinforced by PMI foam fillers under quasi-static compressive load", Steel Compos. Struct., 33(6), 837-847. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2019.33.6.837.