Abstract: It is very difficult to accurately calculate the collision force and nonlinear responses of bridge during ship-bridge collision course. The dynamic numerical simulation of ship-bridge collision can be effectively carried out by means of nonlinear finite element technique. Based on the finite element model of whole ship-bridge, the head-on collision process between a 40000 t DWT oil ship with bulb bow and a bridge pier is simulated. The history and property of the bow damage, the collision force, the energy transform and the tress distribution in the bridge pier are presented and discussed. The results produced by numerical simulation are compared with those by empirical formulas and simplified analytical method. The stress distribution in the bridge is of important value to the design and damage estimation of the bridge.