An Experimental Study of the Impact Damage of Reinforced Concrete Piers Protected by Closed-Cell Aluminum Foam

Abstract

In recent years, China’s ship transportation has shown a rapid growth trend, and the accidents of ships hitting bridge piers are becoming more and more frequent. In view of the frequent occurrence of ships hitting bridge piers, this paper selects closed-cell aluminum foam as the anti-collision material of the piers, and conducts cumulative horizontal impact tests on the closed-cell aluminum foam protected concrete piers. The aim of the experimental tests was to study the influence of the stress stage, thickness and density change of the closed-cel laluminum foam on the impact damage of the concrete piers. The test results show that under the cumulative impact, the close-cell aluminum foam at the yield plateau stage can reduce the damage of the pier; the suitable thickness and density of closed-cell aluminum foam can slow down the development of pier cracks and reduce the impact damage of concrete piers; the densification, excessive thickness and density of closed-cell aluminum foam will increase the impact damage of the bridge pier.