Reliability-based vulnerability analysis of bridge pier subjected to debris flow impact

In this paper, a finite element model of a highway bridge pier subjected to debris flow is established, which comprises a double-column pier, a gully channel, moving fluid and solid particles. By using the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) algorithm to calculate the fluid-solid coupling effect, the process of debris flow impacting on the pier is simulated. Based on the ‘two-phase flow’ theory, a simplified equation to calculate the impact force of debris flow containing both fluid and solid phases is proposed, and the variable parameters in the equation are determined through numerical simulation using the established FE model and the field-measured data. By comparing with the historical records of actual debris flows, the effectiveness of the numerical model and the proposed equation is verified. A reliability model of the pier subjected to debris flow is established, and the structural vulnerability is estimated by the MCS method. Using the site-observed data, the failure mode of a highway double-column pier subjected to impact of two-phase debris flow is studied. The critical velocities of debris flow causing the structure to have different modes of damage, and the critical impact height of debris flow on the pier suffering bending and shear failures are determined.