Investigating Stone Masonry Arch Bridges in Greece Employing In-situ Measurements and Numerical Predictions

Abstract

AbstractThe present study presents a series of in-situ measurements conducted at selected old stone masonry bridges, using up-to-date system identification techniques, in an effort to identify their dynamic characteristics in terms of eigen-frequencies, eigen-modes and damping properties. All these information is part of a data base that can be used in the future as a reference for identifying noticeable changes in these dynamic characteristics as part of a structural health monitoring effort for these bridges. Moreover, this information provides a basis for build-ing realistic numerical simulations towards studying the structural behaviour of such stone masonry bridges and assessing their expected structural behaviour in extreme future seismic events. Selected in-situ measurements are presented together with their use in building numerical models of various levels of complexity. These numerical models are finally utilized in assessing the expected performance of specific case studies of stone masonry bridge structures in Greecetowards meeting the demands of extreme events that include design earth-quake loads. The described system identification technique can also be linked to specific actions, such as earthquake activity, and thus serve as warning for specific maintenance counter-measure.KeywordsStone masonry bridgesIn-situ vibration measurementsSystem identificationNumerical simulationFoundation deformabilityPlaka bridge collapse