Collision Loads on Bridge Piers: Phase 2. Report of Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions

An instrumented, simulated bridge pier was constructed, and two full-scale collisions with an 80,000-lb van type tractor-trailer were performed on it. The trailer was ballasted with bags of sand on pallets. The simulated pier was 36 inches in diameter and was supported in the longitudinal direction by two loads cells. Force-versus-time data were obtained from the load cells. Recommendations for possible revisions to the AASHTP LRFD Bridge Design Specifications are given.