Influence of pier-water interaction on natural vibration characteristics of bridge with complex piers in water

In order to clarify the influence of water on the natural vibration of bridge with complex piers, based on a continuous beam with 4-column pier, the numerical analysis model is established. Single column circular pier is taken to discuss the range of waters. Then the influences of water on the natural vibration are analyzed. The research shows that waters reduce the natural frequency. When waters area width is less than 10 m, the natural frequency of the pier decreases. And the first-order longitudinal bending frequency is reduced by 3.36%. When waters area width is more than 10 m, the vibration frequencies tend to be stable gradually. Therefore, the waters 10 m can be regarded as an infinite boundary. The natural frequencies of single column pier and 4-column pier decrease with the increase of water depth. When the water depth is less than 10 m, the changes of natural frequency of the first four orders of single column pier are relatively small, and the changes of 5–10 order natural frequency are large. The maximum effect of the first ten orders is 14.84%. The natural vibration frequency of the bridge decreases gradually with the increase of water depth. The maximum effect of the first five orders is 3.33%.