BARGE IMPACT TESTING OF THE ST. GEORGE ISLAND CAUSEWAY BRIDGE. PHASE I: FEASIBILITY STUDY

The purpose of this research project was to determine the feasibility of conducting full-scale experimental barge impact testing of the SR 300 / Saint George Island Causeway bridge in Apalachicola, Florida and to establish the parameters of the proposed testing program. The aspects of feasibility that were investigated included: environmental, geographical, and scheduling feasibilities. Experimental design and applicability analyses were carried out through the use of dynamic finite element impact simulation using the LS-DYNA code. Results from the study indicated that the proposed impact testing program is feasible with respect to all areas investigated. Specific results from the feasibility study included the identification of an overall time window for the full-scale testing, testing location, and a preliminary testing program. Finite element impact simulations were conducted for a range of impact scenarios in order to select optimal parameters for the experimental test program. Dynamic impact simulations resulted in the selection of a barge cargo weight and a set of impact velocities for use in the full-scale testing program. In addition, barge loads predicted by dynamic impact simulation were compared to the AASHTO equivalent static load method and to finite element simulations of static barge crush tests.

• Record URL:
  • https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/reports/fdot-bc354-23-rpt.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/57473
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Florida, Gainesville

  Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611-6580

  Florida Department of Transportation

  Haydon Burns Building, 605 Suwanee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32301
• Authors:
  • Consolazio, G R
  • Cook, R A
  • Lehr, G B
• Publication Date: 2002-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 128 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barges; Bridges; Causeways; Crash tests; Environmental impacts; Feasibility analysis; Finite element method; Location; Scheduling; Simulation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Impact speed
• Geographic Terms: Apalachicola (Florida)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Environment; Highways; Marine Transportation; Research; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00921546
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UF Proj 4910-4504-783-12,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: BC-354 RPWO #23
• Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 19 2002 12:00AM