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Numerical investigation of the dynamic response of bridge piers under debris flow impact

delete2026-06-08
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PRE
AI
T
Tianyu Liu *
X
Xianfeng Liu *
H
Hao Ren *
S
Shengyang Yuan *
C
Changrong Yao *
W
Weizhi Chen
B
Bo Xiang *
D
Daochuan Liu *
DOI:10.1080/15732479.2026.2673468delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
A coupled Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) framework is employed to numerically simulate a single-boulder debris-flow impact on a round-ended railway bridge pier. Integrating continuous slurry hydrodynamics with transient high-energy boulder impacts, dynamic responses and failure mechanisms were assessed across multiple return periods. Results show that boulder impacts dominate loading at the frequent 5-year return period, where peak forces reach 5 times the slurry magnitude, decreasing to 1.9 under the extreme 100-year scenario. Notably, from 10- to 100-year periods, slurry-driven deformation surges 5.2-fold, significantly outstripping the 2.7-fold increase in boulder-induced deformation. This disparity stems from simultaneous increases in flow depth and velocity, which expand the slurry’s vertical load distribution. Furthermore, a critical damage threshold is identified between the 20- and 50-year periods, marking a rapid transition from localised yielding to severe concrete spalling. Spatially, failure evolves upward from the pier base, highlighting the footing and the upper-lower pier junction as primary vulnerabilities prone to progressive plastic deformation and tensile cracking. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimising impact-resistance evaluations and protection strategies for mountainous railway bridges.
Keywords:
Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian method
bridge pier
damage evolution
debris flow
dynamic response
fluid–structure interaction
impact analysis
numerical simulation

Journal

Structure and Infrastructure Engineering cover
Structure and Infrastructure Engineering
IF:
2.6
Papers:
451
Citations:
5.3K

Organization

X
xinjiang university
Scholars:
2.7K
Papers: 828
Citations: 0
S
southwest jiaotong university
Scholars:
7.6K
Papers: 2.7K
Citations: 0
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