Vessel-Bridge Collision Risk Analysis Based on Structural Reliability Theory

Abstract

With the construction of bridges crossing inland waterways, it becomes vital to analyze the risk of vessel-bridge collision. In this paper, the limitation of the current vessel-bridge collision risk analysis approach recommended by the AASHTO code is addressed, and a new method is proposed based on method of moments of reliability theory. With consideration of the random characteristic of water level, impact angle, impact velocity and deadweight tonnage of vessels even with unknown distribution, the proposed method can reflect the risk level of vessel-bridge collision more accurately. The method can be also applied to other risk analysis of general building structures.