Numerical simulation on dynamic response of prefabricated concrete pier under vehicle collision

To study the impact resistance of the prefabricated concrete pier under the action of vehicle collision, a finite element model was established by ABAQUS. The concrete damaged plasticity model was used to simulate the nonlinear behavior of the concrete, and the strain rate effect on the material’s dynamic strength was considered. Based on the explicit dynamic analysis method, the dynamic response analysis of the prefabricated bridge pier under the action of vehicle impact was carried out. The differences in impact force, residual displacement and concrete damage between the prefabricated pier and cast-in-place pier were analyzed. Finally, the parameter study was carried out. The results show that compared with the cast-in-place pier, the concrete damage degree of the prefabricated pier is lower under the vehicle impact, and the residual displacement is larger due to the slip at the segment joint. The final stresses in the prestressed tendons increase compared with the initial state, the stress of the prestressed tendon far away from the collision side increases significantly during the impact process. The size of mortise and tenon has effect on the horizontal stiffness of the prefabricated pier. Increasing the initial prestress level has little effect on the concrete damage, but it can improve the integrity of the prefabricated pier.