Numerical research on impact performance of bridge columns with aluminum foam protection devices

This article presents a new protection device using aluminum foam to enhance the impact resistance of bridge columns. First, the protection device is designed according to the characteristics of aluminum foam material. The geometric configuration and structure of the device are described. Second, the impact performance of bridge column is analyzed, including impact force analysis, damage analysis, and the influence of axial load. Third, three-dimensional solid element models of columns with and without the protection device are developed in order to verify the effect of the protection device. By comparing dynamic responses of vehicle impact on columns with and without the protection device, it is considered that the protection device has certain protection effect: after installing the protective device, the peak value of impact force reduces by 37.5%, the maximum displacement of column top reduces by 23.7%, the maximum stress at column bottom reduces by 51.6%, the maximum stress at column bottom reduces by 51.6%, the maximum acceleration of the vehicle reduces by 40.6%, and 86.84% of the impact energy is absorbed by the protection device. Finally, the devices with different foam thicknesses and porosities are comparatively analyzed to investigate the influence of these design parameters on impact performance. The results show that the increase in the thickness of aluminum foam has positive effects on the protection capability. The protection capability improves with aluminum foam porosity increasing when the porosity is less than 60%.