Dynamic Response Analysis of Bridge Subjected to Oblique Barge Collision

Barge-bridge collision represents a complex nonlinear dynamic problem characterized by multiple interacting physical fields. Its failure mechanisms are influenced by several forms of nonlinearity, including material, geometric, contact, and motion nonlinearities. A theoretical model is proposed for calculating longitudinal displacements of bridge piers subjected to oblique barge collisions. The effects of impact angle and velocity are examined through scaled physical model tests. In the theoretical formulation, the piers are idealized as Timoshenko beams, and high-order differential equations are solved using Laplace transforms followed by numerical inversion. Results demonstrate that the theoretical predictions agree well with experimental data within the elastic range, showing a maximum discrepancy of 9.3%. Conventional static methods, which neglect dynamic effects, may lead to considerable inaccuracies, whereas the proposed model offers a balanced combination of computational efficiency and accuracy. Additionally, the analysis reveals the key role of bridge directional stiffness differences in governing impact energy distribution. This research provides a validated theoretical foundation and test benchmarks for evaluating the impact resistance of bridge structures and for supporting design optimization. It also offers practical references for structural safety assessments under multi-angle collision conditions.