New techniques in the elastic analysis of arch bridges using image processing

Abstract

AbstractThe importance of the masonry arch in Britain's infrastructure has never been more significant than at the present time with ever increasing axle loads under new EEC regulations The searches have been shown to be significantly affected by the overlying fill. The effect of this fill is being investigated by a number of methods employing a variety of experimental techniques. This paper presents one such new technique of examining the effects of the fill through monitoring zones of strain on an arch model subjected to load. The model arches were constructed in timber with a dry granular fill and approximately 90 tests were carried out to investigate the effect of load position, fill depth and pier stiffness. Image analysis of the tests permitted identification of the areas of strain within the fill and arch barrel and the location of the hinges at higher loads. Finite element (FE) analysis was used to model the arch in its elastic range and comparisons of the FE strain contour plots with the equivalent images illustrated the validity of using image processing for the determination of the strain characteristics. The practical applications of using such a technique are subsequently highlighted and commented on.