Dynamic Response of a Joint Anticollision Device for Adjacent Bridges under a Large-Tonnage Ship Impact

To protect two adjacent and parallel bridges, this study proposes a double-pier linkage-type flexible guided anticollision device (DPLT-FGAD). LS-DYNA (version R13.1.1) software was used for numerical simulations, and the finite-element model was verified using test data. The synergistic force effect between the two piers and the energy conversion relationships within the system under different ship impact cases, including variations in angle, location, velocity, and ship type, were examined. Additionally, the protective effect of DPLT-FGAD was highlighted by comparing cases with DPLT-FGAD to those without steel wire rope coils (SWRCs), without an anticollision device, and with a single-pier flexible guided anticollision device. The results reveal that the SWRC is crucial to ensure that the double piers jointly resist the ship impact. Compared with the ship impacting the triangular area of the DPLT-FGAD, the pier is safer when the ship impacts the side area. As the ship impact velocity decreases or the tonnage of the full-loaded ship reduces, the forces on the double piers become more balanced. The DPLT-FGAD significantly enhances the impact resistance of a single pier while simultaneously protecting the ship.