A Probabilistic Analysis of the Frequency of Bridge Collapses Due to Vessel Impact
The collapse of the Queen Isabella Causeway in 2001, caused by a vessel collision, sent an alarming message to the state of Texas that vessel impact on bridges is a serious issue and that the possibility of such accidents needs to be considered in the design and evaluation of any bridge spanning a waterway. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) funded this research project at The University of Texas at Austin seeking to re-evaluate the current vessel collision calculations (both on the load and resistance side), create a database of vessel traffic in the state of Texas, and design a stand-alone computer program to perform the vessel collision risk calculations. Currently the 2004 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) design code regulates vessel collision analysis. Bridges are designed to meet a specified annual frequency of collapse based on a probabilistic model. While the basis for the computation of the probability of aberrancy and geometric probability are well justified, little research has been performed on barge to pier collisions to support the AASHTO LRFD method for probability of collapse. Using two models, one that determines the force imparted on a bridge pier by a vessel and another that determines what the ultimate lateral strength of a pier is, an enhanced method for determining probability of collapse was developed.
- Record URL:
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Corporate Authors:
University of Texas, Austin
Center for Transportation Research, 3208 Red River Street
Austin, TX United States 78705Texas Department of Transportation
Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
Austin, TX United States 78763-5080Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Manuel, Lance
- Kallivokas, Loukas F
- Williamson, Eric B
- Bomba, Michael
- Berlin, Kenneth B
- Cryer, Adam
- Henderson, Wyatt R
- Publication Date: 2006-11
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
- Edition: Technical Report
- Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 454p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Allisions; Barges; Bridge design; Bridge piers; Collapse; Force; Impact loads; Inland waterways vessels; Load and resistance factor design; Mathematical models; Probability
- Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral strength; Vessel impact
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Marine Transportation; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01055089
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-07/0-4650-1, Report No. 0-4650-1
- Contract Numbers: 0-4650
- Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Aug 17 2007 3:48PM