Quantification of debris flow vulnerability of typical bridge substructure based on impact force simulation

Abstract

Vulnerability analysis of engineering structures is an important aspect of risk assessment. It involves the probability that the structure meets or exceeds various set damage conditions under the influence of different risk levels. In order to quantitatively analyze the vulnerability of the typical bridge substructure under debris flow, four vulnerability curves with different damage levels under debris flow impact are obtained by numerical simulation of 150 damage conditions with the aid of three-dimensional finite element analysis software. The results show that the vulnerability curves of debris flow established in this paper are well fitted with data of numerical simulation. The acceleration is fastest in the middle of the curve, and high-intensity debris flow is more likely to cause high-level damage of bridge structure. By using the vulnerability curves established in this paper, the damage probability distribution under a certain debris flow intensity and damage control points of bridge substructure can be further obtained, which provides a basis for disaster prediction, risk management and reliability analysis of transportation system. The method and model presented can provide a reference for the vulnerability analysis of other types of structures under debris flow.

Keywords:

• Debris flow
• vulnerability analysis
• bridge substructure
• quantification
• numerical simulation

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.