Dynamic response analysis of ice-bridge pier collision considering pile-water-soil interaction

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the dynamic response characteristics of bridge piers in cold regions subjected to lateral ice impacts within cohesive soils through numerical methods. An ice–concrete collision experiment was designed and performed, and the experimental results exhibited good agreement with the numerical simulations, thereby validating the suitability of the selected material parameters. A numerical model was subsequently established using ANSYS/LS-DYNA. The numerical simulation results indicate that the soil’s restraint on the structure effectively reduces the pier’s peak displacement and alters its vibration frequency. The fluid–structure interaction (FSI) model reveals a “water cushion effect,” which dissipates the kinetic energy of the ice floe and yields calculated ice loads that better reflect real-world conditions. Notably, neglecting the influence of fluid action is advantageous for ice-resistant bridge design. Furthermore, the influence of ice parameters—such as compressive strength and thickness—on the structural dynamic response was systematically evaluated. Detailed analyses of stress distribution, ice-load evolution, and pier displacement responses were conducted to elucidate the dynamic behavior and potential failure mechanisms of bridge piers under extreme ice-loading scenarios.