In　earthquake-prone　regions,　large　relative　displacement　between　piers　and　girders　may　lead　to　pounding　damage　and　unseating　failure　in　highway　bridges.　To　mitigate　these　effects,　this　study　presents　a　composite　energy　dissipation　restrainer　(CEDR)　that　incorporates　a　composite　energy　tube　(CET)　as　a　fundamental　component　(comprising　an　aluminum　honeycomb　buffer　and　an　expansion　tube).　The　energy　absorption　characteristics　of　the　CET　are　analyzed,　and　the　influence　of　the　aluminum　honeycomb　is　thoroughly　discussed.　Furthermore,　a　design　procedure　and　mechanical　model　for　the　CEDR,　considering　rare　earthquakes,　are　developed.　Finally,　the　effectiveness　of　the　proposed　design　method　and　the　behavior　of　limiting　displacement　of　the　CEDR　are　demonstrated　through　nonlinear　time　history　analysis　of　an　implemented　project.　The　results　reveal　that　the　aluminum　honeycomb　buffer　exhibits　superior　energy　absorption　capability,　enhancing　buffering　efficiency　and　reducing　damage.　Compared　to　common　cable-type　restrainers　(CCR),　the　CEDR　reduces　the　relative　peak　displacement　of　the　bridge　by　40%,　decreases　the　frequency　of　reciprocating　displacement　by　30%　on　average,　and　mitigates　impacts　on　the　abutment　by　80%.　©　2024　Institution　of　Structural　Engineers