During extreme flooding events, submerged bridge components would encounter strong lateral fluid forces. With lateral flowing water, debris, such as sediments or tree branches can be transported along rivers and accumulate on submerged components. With debris accumulations, short span bridges are required to resist additional fluid pressure due to the increasing current-obstruction area. Besides, debris accumulations would accelerate bridge scour process, as well, due to increasing flow speeds. The floating debris can also directly impact bridge foundations and affect the dynamic behaviors. Many bridges collapse due to fluid forces and debris impacts during flooding events. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the structural behaviors of bridges considering the effects of debris. In the present study, the dynamic analysis for OSBs is conducted with the consideration of debris accumulations and debris impacts. Firstly, a short span OSB is simulated with foundation scour due to possible debris accumulations. Secondly, the fluid pressure applied to the OSB is updated considering an extra blocking area due to accumulated debris. The collision forces due to floating woody debris are also introduced into the analysis. Thirdly, the dynamic amplification factors with and without considering the effects of debris impacts are calculated and compared. Finally, some conclusions are drawn about how to simplify the effects of debris impacts on the dynamic responses of bridges.


Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library 

During extreme flooding events, submerged bridge components would encounter strong lateral fluid forces. With lateral flowing water, debris, such as sediments or tree branches can be transported along rivers and accumulate on submerged components. With debris accumulations, short span bridges are required to resist additional fluid pressure due to the increasing current-obstruction area. Besides, debris accumulations would accelerate bridge scour process, as well, due to increasing flow speeds. The floating debris can also directly impact bridge foundations and affect the dynamic behaviors. Many bridges collapse due to fluid forces and debris impacts during flooding events. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the structural behaviors of bridges considering the effects of debris. In the present study, the dynamic analysis for OSBs is conducted with the consideration of debris accumulations and debris impacts. Firstly, a short span OSB is simulated with foundation scour due to possible debris accumulations. Secondly, the fluid pressure applied to the OSB is updated considering an extra blocking area due to accumulated debris. The collision forces due to floating woody debris are also introduced into the analysis. Thirdly, the dynamic amplification factors with and without considering the effects of debris impacts are calculated and compared. Finally, some conclusions are drawn about how to simplify the effects of debris impacts on the dynamic responses of bridges.


[Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483381.038) 

Improved Resilience Analysis of Existing Orthotropic Steel Bridge Considering the Debris Effects

This conference brought the experience and knowledge of experts in the aerospace industry together to share and discuss the latest research and engineering techniques that effect the exploration and settlement of space. Presentations were made in multiple concurrent symposia over three days. Topics included: Granular materials in space exploration, exploration in utilization of extra-terrestrial bodies, advanced materials and designs for aerospace and terrestrial structures under extreme environment, structures in challenging environments, and space engineering, construction, and architecture for the moon, Mars, and beyond.

Due to challenges with COVID-19, this 17th Biennial was moved to April 2021 and was offered in a virtual format.

[Paper Proceedings](https://ascelibrary.org/doi/book/10.1061/earthandspace2021)

Conference DOI: https://doi.org/10.26226/m.63243a3fb7ff860013acd57f