Assessment of damage levels in reinforced concrete bridge piers subjected to flooding using a deflection based damage index

Ensuring the safety and performance of highway bridges during floods is essential as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Bridge structures, particularly reinforced concrete piers, are exposed to significant damage from flood forces and debris. Over time, ageing and heavy usage further weaken these structures, making them more vulnerable during severe weather events. This study focuses on assessing damage in reinforced concrete highway bridge piers subjected to flood loading. A deflection based damage index is introduced to quantify the level of structural damage, a method commonly used in earthquake engineering but less explored for flood scenarios. The finite element software ABAQUS is used to develop a model that predicts concrete failure under lateral flood forces. The model’s accuracy is validated through comparison with experimental data. Additionally, the study evaluates the impact of different levels of pier damage and the role of bed stability under flood conditions. The proposed deflection based damage Index offers a reliable way to assess structural integrity by calculating damage indicators based on pier deflection. This method allows for a better understanding of how reinforced concrete piers behave under flood loading, providing insights into potential failure mechanisms. The findings contribute to improving assessment techniques for critical infrastructure, helping enhance resilience and adaptive strategies in the face of increasingly severe environmental threats.