Laboratory experiments to analyse the influence of bridge profiles on debris-flow impact forces

Abstract

Debris-flow impact plays a significant role in the failure of bridges in mountainous areas posing a risk to human life and leading to high reconstruction costs. The aim of this study is to measure and quantify the frontal impact forces of debris flows on bridge superstructures based on laboratory experiments with a special regard to the comparison of two different bridge profiles and the presence / absence of a bridge pier. To this end, we conducted 20 experiments, measuring the frontal impact forces on the bridge superstructure with two 3-axis force sensors at the abutments of the miniature bridge. We found that the type of the superstructure does have an influence on the magnitude of the frontal impact forces.