Determination of hurricane-induced barge impact loads on floodwalls using dynamic finite element analysis

• During hurricanes, barges may break free and impact protective floodwall structures.
• A high-resolution finite element model of a jumbo hopper barge is developed.
• Barge impacts on floodwall structures with pile foundations are simulated.
• As impact–momentum increases, a plateau of impact force is eventually reached.
• Oblique-angle impacts produce smaller forces than side impacts.

During hurricane events, moored barges are at risk of being propelled by high winds and impacting flood protection walls in the vicinity. Cities like New Orleans, Louisiana are at particular risk for such hazards, due to the preponderance of canals and moored barges throughout the city combined with high hurricane risk. Unfortunately, limited information is available to estimate the magnitude of barge impact loads for the design of floodwalls. In this paper, forces associated with hurricane-wind-propelled barge impacts on floodwalls are quantified using high-resolution dynamic finite element simulations. Such simulations account for highly nonlinear material deformation in the impacting barge, nonlinear soil response, and dynamic interaction between the barge, wall, and soil. The paper presents force histories for a variety of representative impact scenarios which can be used directly in dynamic analysis of floodwalls. Additional guidance is provided for employing the force results in static design scenarios.