Dynamic design of bridges susceptible to barge impact

This paper presents two bridge design methods that model the dynamic interaction between the individual barges in a multiple barge flotilla and the bridge pier during a collision. The methods use either a single inertial or multiple inertial mode response coupled with a pseudo-static response. The modal inertial and pseudo-static response to the impact is determined from the impact spectrums and peak impact load equation developed by the authors. The design procedures are called the Pseudo-Dynamic Analysis Procedure (single inertial mode method) and the Impact Spectrum Analysis Procedure (multiple inertial mode method).