# Improvement of Anti-Collision Performance of Concrete Columns Using Bio-Inspired Honeycomb Column Thin-Walled Structure (BHTS)

## TL;DR

This study improves the anti-collision performance of concrete columns using a bio-inspired honeycomb structure to protect against vehicle impacts.

## Contribution

A bio-inspired honeycomb column thin-walled structure (BHTS) is introduced to reduce damage to concrete columns during vehicle collisions.

## Key findings

- The BHTS buffer interlayer and UHPC–BHTS composite structure convert shear failure into bending failure in RC columns.
- RC columns with BHTS or UHPC–BHTS suffered only slight damage, unlike unprotected columns or those with UHPC alone.
- The BHTS and UHPC–BHTS structures effectively safeguard RC columns under both low- and high-energy impacts.

## Abstract

In recent years, frequent vehicle–bridge pier collision accidents have posed a serious threat to people’s economic and life security. In order to avert the impairment of reinforced concrete bridge piers (RCBPs) under the impact of vehicles, three kinds of Mg–Al alloy AlSi10Mg anti-collision structures designed by selective laser melting (SLM) printing were tested by the numerical simulation method in this study: an ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) anti-collision structure, a bio-inspired honeycomb column thin-walled structure (BHTS) buffer interlayer, and a UHPC–BHTS composite structure were used to reduce the damage degree of RCBPs caused by vehicle impact. In accordance with the prototype configuration of the pier, a scaled model with a scale ratio of 1:10 was fabricated. Three anti-collision structures were installed on the reinforced concrete (RC) column specimens for the steel ball impact test. The impact simulation under low-energy and high-energy input was carried out successively, and the protective effect of the three anti-collision devices on the RC column was comprehensively evaluated. The outcomes demonstrate that the BHTS buffer interlayer and the UHPC–BHTS composite structure are capable of converting the shear failure of RC columns into bending failure, thereby exerting an efficacious role in safeguarding RC columns. The damage was evaluated under all impact conditions of BHTS and UHPC–BHTS composite structures, and the RC column only suffered slight damage, while the RC column without protective measures and the RC column with the UHPC anti-collision structure alone showed serious damage and collapse behavior. This approach can offer a valuable reference for anti-collision design within analogous projects.