Analysis of failure of a bridge foundation under rock impact

A bridge pier supported on two drilled shafts collapsed due to the impact by a 130-ton rock in a landslide event. A series of static and dynamic numerical simulations is conducted using a nonlinear finite element analysis program to investigate the bearing behavior and responses of the bridge foundation under rock impact. The rock impact load is evaluated according to the site conditions. The deflection histories at the striking point and the internal forces in the drilled shafts during rock impacts in different directions are analyzed. The bridge pier exhibits significant system effects: the failure of the bridge pier is initiated by the failure of one pier column or one drilled shaft first, followed by the failure of the entire pier. The effects of impact loading direction, striking location, and characteristics of impact load on the behavior of the bridge pier are examined through a parametric study. The capacities of the pier along different loading directions are different due to differences in the group effects of the drilled shafts. The bridge pier is strongest when the impact load is along the 45° direction with respect to the shaft row, and weakest when the impact load is perpendicular to the shaft row.

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