Study on the performance of a restored concrete bridge after ship impact in China

Abstract

The WanJiang Bridge in China was damaged by an oil tanker at 5.28 p.m. on 5 August 2006, and three supporting frames near the mid-span of the bridge, 5# pier, were severely damaged. Some concrete members fell into the river, causing significant changes in the structural behaviour of the bridge. Thereafter, the administration department has done some emergency detection, strengthening design and strengthening construction to the bridge. A field load test and simulation of the bridge using the large-scale general finite-element analysis software Midas were performed. According to the comparative analysis and model validation of the field load test and the results of simulation analysis, the bridge bearing capacity after strengthening is evaluated, and a maintenance proposal for the bridge is given. The results of the research show that the results of static and dynamic load tests agree well with the theoretical value; the latter verifies the correctness of the theoretical analysis. Based on the field load test, comparative analysis and computational evaluation, the strengthening effect on the WanJiang Bridge is evaluated from the aspects of static performance and dynamic performance.