Performance of Prestressed Bridge Girders Subjected to Vehicle Impacts

Vessel and vehicle collisions are the 2nd highest cause for bridge collapse in the US. This proposal aims to investigate the effects of vehicle impact on prestressed bridge girders using high fidelity finite element models of prestressed bridge girders. The models will be validated against experimental work from literature. The validated models will be used to determine the residual bending capacity of the girders after being subjected to vehicle impacts.

The overarching goal of this project is to: 1) Develop high fidelity finite element models and 2) determine the residual bending capacity of prestressed girders subjected to vehicle impact.

HVessel and vehicle collisions are the 2nd highest cause for bridge collapse in the US. Determine the residual bending capacity of bridge girders after vehicle impact will support DOTs decision for repair of the girders.

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