Historic Bridge Research Articles

Ispitivanje procjene uporabljivosti zidanog lučnog mosta izloženog djelovanju potresa dalekog rasjeda

The goal of this study is to examine the historical masonry arch bridge’s static and dynamic behavior using far-field fault earthquakes. The first step is to build a finite element model with ANSYS and SAP2000. This is done to see if the greatest possible displacements, primary stresses, and elastic strains compare. From above, the belt’s upper side appears to be vital for damage. Furthermore, a historical masonry arch bridge’s life cycle assessment is also researched and observed, which results in increased stress and strain values for the bridge, causing its expected life span to be drastically reduced.

Developing Bridge Deterioration Models Using an Artificial Neural Network

The condition of a bridge is critical in quality evaluations and justifying the significant costs incurred by maintaining and repairing bridge infrastructures. Using bridge management systems, the department of transportation in the United States is currently supervising the construction and renovations of thousands of bridges. The inability to obtain funding for the current infrastructures, such that they comply with the requirements identified as part of maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation (MR&R), makes such bridge management systems critical. Bridge management systems facilitate decision making about handling bridge deterioration using an efficient model that accurately predicts bridge condition ratings. The accuracy of this model can facilitate MR&R planning and is used to confirm funds allocated to repair and maintain the bridge network management system. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model is developed to improve the bridge management system (BMS) by improving the prediction accuracy of the deterioration of bridge decks, superstructures, and substructures. A large dataset of historical bridge condition assessment data was used to train and test the proposed ANN models for the deck, superstructure, and substructure components, and the accuracy of these models was 90%, 90%, and 89% on the testing set, respectively.

Intuitionistic fuzzy decision support based on EDAS and grey relational degree for historic bridges reconstruction priority

Bridge management includes all actions in the life cycle of the bridge, to ensure its safety, stability, and functionality. Numerous problems have been identified that are primarily related to the organization of planning and the role of decision-making in the reconstruction of the historic pedestrian bridges. The planning process for the reconstruction of these bridges is crucial due to increased traffic load, poor condition, or damage to bridges. Some of these bridges are part of the cultural heritage, while some are unfairly neglected. The motivation for this research arose from the need to establish the priority for the reconstruction of historic pedestrian bridges to achieve their safety, stability, functionality, and cultural preservation. For this reason, a new decision support model based on intuitionistic fuzzy group decision-making to the multi-criteria analysis is created. The model combines multi-criteria method Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution and grey relational degree (GRD) with intuitionistic fuzzy theory. Three relevant decision groups of experts are formed, with the knowledge and expertise in the area of research problematic, establishing criteria for the evaluation. A new approach to the consistency of criteria weights is proposed. The intuitionistic fuzzy likelihood function is developed for the aggregation of bridge evaluations. Furthermore, GRD values are calculated to determine the reconstruction priority ranking of bridge for each decision group. The final ranking is defined by integrating Integer Linear Programming (ILP) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), determining spatial-functional, time, and financial constraints.

Seismic sensitivity analysis of Musa Palas historic masonry arch bridge by Tornado diagram

Seismic sensitivity analysis of Musa Palas historic masonry arch bridge by Tornado diagram

Condition assessment of different historic bridges using Non Destructive Techniques (NDT) with FTIR analysis in Izmir after the Samos Island earthquake

The study aimed to contribute to condition assessments of historic bridges in Izmir, Turkey and the estimation of their predictable functional lifetime after the Samos earthquake. This document is a summary of the study into the reliability of Non-Destructive Techniques (NDT) for testing the state of different historic bridges impacted by the October 30, 2020 Earthquake. Besides providing data on material characteristics, NDT can help identify hidden bridge structure defects, such as cavities and moisture. This study also used FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) spectral data analysis in conjunction with NDT as a multidisciplinary evaluation technique and demonstrates the value of this approach in the field. This study is of special relevance to bridge engineers.

NODES OF HOLLOW CORE PROFILE TRUSS BRIDGES WITH INCOMPLETE WELDS

Among the various types of steel bridge girders, trusses seem one of the most powerful and reliable. The individual members may be simple, but the nodes are the complex parts, especially if more than 4 members are connected. In view of the complexity, internal welds become inevitable and are inaccessible after finishing, which is overlooked easily during construction. The proposal is to eliminate those of the inside welds that may be dispensable. If some of them would be eliminated, the consequences may be acceptable, or require minor modifications only. The assumption is tried out on the example of a structure replacing a historic bridge. This structure is composed of rectangular hollow profiles, connected at nodes. Member forces and bending moments, have been determined. If the internal welds are about to be eliminated, an alternative load path is found. The calculation of stresses in the various fillet welds is based on the assumption of evenly distribution of forces. The weld stresses can be calculated by the derived formulas. The results show some welds require strengthening, due to the elimination of the more complicated internal welds. This concerns ultimate limit state. Thus, the possibility is confirmed that some of the internal welds may be eliminated, although there still is no proof the method may be applied to more complex nodes. Research must be continued to clarify this. For the type of hollow core members being considered, omitting of some internal welds may well be an acceptable alternative.

EVALUATION OF THE SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF THE HISTORIC CLANDRAS BRIDGE

Historical masonry arch bridges are one of the most important structures that convey the cultural heritage of past civilizations to the present. Historical masonry arch bridges were one of the most important elements of transportation and architecture in the past. These structures can be damaged by many natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, etc. from the past to the present. It is necessary to carry out the necessary studies in order to protect these bridges as they were built and to transfer them safely to future generationsIt is clear that determining the earthquake behavior of these bridges, which are exposed to different geometrical properties, materials and loading conditions, will increase the effectiveness of the strengthening works to be done. In this study, the seismic behavior of the Uşak Clandras Bridge, which is a historical masonry arch bridge, was investigated by linear and non-linear time history analysis. Firstly, the 3D model of the masonry bridge was created with the Abaqüs program. To simulate the more real behavior of the structure, a detailed survey was carried out. For the characteristic features of the materials used in the bridge, studies in the literature were taken into consideration. Acceleration records of 1999 Kocaeli Earthquake were used in dynamic analyses.

Structural assessment of the historic Ten Arches Bridge in Jordan

ABSTRACT The Ten Arches Bridge is a historical stone bridge that is located in Amman, Jordan. The bridge has a valuable cultural heritage as it was built in 1908 to serve the Hejaz Railway Line. This study presents a structural assessment of the bridge including a field inspection, experimental investigation, and numerical structural analysis. The study also investigates the efficacy of utilizing in-situ Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) such as Rebound Hammer (RH) and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) tests in the assessment of stone arch bridges. Detailed experimental and numerical investigations were performed to identify the structural integrity of the bridge by evaluating the acting stresses and displacements under static and dynamic loads. Minor deteriorations were found in the bridge’s body due to human and environmental factors. However, the geometrical properties of the bridge have not been significantly changed. The obtained results of the numerical analysis concluded that the bridge can sustain the current imposed dead and traffic loads, but not serve seismic actions. Compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of stone units obtained by RH and UPV tests are in agreement with the laboratory tests. Accordingly, NDT techniques can provide and verify basic mechanical properties that are needed for numerical analyses.

Effect of SSI and Fixed-base Concept on the Dynamic Responses of Masonry Bridge Structures, Dalal Bridge as a Case Study

Historical masonry structures are very important as they carry cultural heritage, so it is important to protect these structures from natural disasters such as earthquakes and transferred to the next generations. It is known that masonry structures are weak against earthquakes, therefore, a suitable analysis method for assessment and retrofitting purposes is a must. Generally, the fixed-base concept is used for analysis and design purposes, however, in reality, the structures are not fixed-base but they are resting on soils. The aim of this study is to make a comparison study between dynamic responses of fixed-base and soil-structure interaction (SSI) models for bridge masonry structures, the historical Dalal bridge was selected as the case study. First, the bridge was modeled as a fixed base model, and then three different soil profiles (hard, medium and soft soils) were added to the underneath of the structure. The numerical models were analyzed under Elcentro earthquake record. Results indicating a good agreement between the fixed base and the case of hard soil base. However, considerable differences were observed for medium and soft soil profiles.

Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Stone Arch Bridges by Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis Using Discrete Element Method

ABSTRACT Evaluation of the seismic performance of two historical stone arch bridges of the Iranian rail network is presented using a discrete element method. The total length of the bridges is 66.7 m and 106.1 m. The bridges consist of multi-span arches changing from 5 m to 48.6 m. The incremental dynamic analysis method is used to determine the damage, failure patterns, and acceleration of the collapse threshold. Using the discrete element method after static analysis under gravity load, dynamic analysis of bridges under both horizontal components of the earthquakes was performed simultaneously for different earthquake intensities until collapse. The results showed that the most extensive damage occurred in the smaller bridge with the onset of failures in the top spandrels of the arches and then the piers of the bridge, while in the larger bridge which had a large central arch span, damage and failure occurred more in the central arch and its spandrels. The collapse spectral acceleration of the larger bridge is considerably smaller than the smaller bridge such that the ratio of collapse spectral acceleration of the larger to smaller bridge varies only between 45% to 61%. The low spectral acceleration intensity of collapse indicates more seismic vulnerability of the larger bridge.

NODES OF HOLLOW CORE PROFILE TRUSS BRIDGES WITH INCOMPLETE WELDS

Among the various types of steel bridge girders, trusses seem one of the most powerful and reliable. The individual members may be simple, but the nodes are the complex parts, especially if more than 4 members are connected. In view of the complexity, internal welds become inevitable and are inaccessible after finishing, which is overlooked easily during construction. The proposal is to eliminate those of the inside welds that may be dispensable. If some of them would be eliminated, the consequences may be acceptable, or require minor modifications only. The assumption is tried out on the example of a structure replacing a historic bridge. This structure is composed of rectangular hollow profiles, connected at nodes. Member forces and bending moments, have been determined. If the internal welds are about to be eliminated, an alternative load path is found. The calculation of stresses in the various fillet welds is based on the assumption of evenly distribution of forces. The weld stresses can be calculated by the derived formulas. The results show some welds require strengthening, due to the elimination of the more complicated internal welds. This concerns ultimate limit state. Thus, the possibility is confirmed that some of the internal welds may be eliminated, although there still is no proof the method may be applied to more complex nodes. Research must be continued to clarify this. For the type of hollow core members being considered, omitting of some internal welds may well be an acceptable alternative.

Investigation of Structural Performance of Historical Amasya Hundi Hatun Bridge

Abstract Bridges have been built by many civilizations throughout history to connect the two banks of a river. There have been numerous historical bridges built in Anatolian geography because the area has served as a bridge to various civilizations. This study performed a structural evaluation of the Hundi Hatun Bridge in Amasya, Turkey. First, a 3D model of the bridge was created in a digital environment, and then static and dynamic analyses were performed with software using the ANSYS Workbench finite element method. The bridge demonstrated sufficient dimensions under static loads and in the modal analysis, although the arches were subject to translational movement in the flow direction of the river. In addition, linear and nonlinear material models were used to perform dynamic analyses, including bridge seismic analyses. The linear material model indicated that the bridge is safe, while the nonlinear material model revealed that damage may occur, especially at the abutments and peak regions of the bridge. Moreover, the bridge arch flatness was determined to be a very important parameter. The results of this study can be used to guide future restoration efforts.

Signal Processing Methodology of Response Data from a Historical Arch Bridge toward Reliable Modal Identification

The paper is part of a case study concerning the structural assessment of a historical infrastructure in the local territory, a road three-span reinforced concrete arch bridge over a river, built by the end of World War I (1917). The purpose of the paper is twofold: first, in-situ acquired response data are systematically analysed by specific signal processing techniques, to form a devoted methodological procedure and to extract useful information toward possible interpretation of the current structural conditions; second, the deciphered information is elaborated, in view of obtaining peculiar conceptualisations of detailed features of the structural response, as meant to achieve quantitative descriptions and modelling, for final Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and intervention purposes. The proposed methodology, integrating self-implemented and adapted classical signal processing methods, and refined techniques, such as Wavelet analysis and ARMA models, assembles a rather general, systematic methodological approach to signal processing, highlighting the capability to extract useful and fundamental information from acquired response data, also endowed of a non-stationary character, toward final structural interpretation, identification and modelling, thus enabling for developing a reliable and effective SHM platform, on strategic ageing infrastructures. For the present case study, non-stationary characteristics of the response signals are revealed and flattened out, to identify the underlying fundamental frequencies of the infrastructure and to advance particular interpretations of its current structural behaviour, in forming an enlarging structural consciousness of the bridge at hand.

Ancient metrology in architecture: a new approach in the study of the Roman bridge of Canosa di Puglia (Italy)

<p class="Abstract">The bridge of Canosa di Puglia (Italy) was originally built in the 2nd century CE to cross the Ofanto river along the <em>Via Traiana</em>, the route built at the behest of Emperor Trajan that connected Rome with the port of Brindisi, on the Adriatic Sea. Restorations, collapses and architectural transformations have deeply altered its original structure over the centuries, making it lose the traces of a monumental central arch. Archival and field research, conducted through various surveys, has produced new data that has provided an update of the bridge's history. The aim of this dissertation is to show the results of a research conducted with a new methodological approach to the monument, applying ancient metrology to the interpretation of its architectural evolution. This method has proven to be indispensable to formulate hypotheses about the original configuration of the bridge, whose central arch would result to be one of the widest among the bridges of the Roman architecture.</p>

Damage detection on a historic iron bridge using satellite DInSAR data

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) allows tracking the structural behavior in time and support decisions regarding, for instance, the need for maintenance and repair activities. Most traditional SHM systems require sensors that are directly applied to the structure to get insights into the structural performance. Satellite technologies can provide an appealing alternative to traditional SHM. They allow to measure displacements at a large scale and to follow their evolution without the need of directly accessing the structure. Further to this, the possibility to monitor large areas opens new avenues for the development of automatic alert systems able to issue an alarm and early-flag damaged structures. However, displacements of civil structures might also be induced by sources other than damage such as thermal or periodic hydrogeological variations. These can hinder the onset and development of damage or lead to false alarms if such displacements are erroneously interpreted as damages. This paper aims to present a new method for damage detection based on DInSAR measurements, that tackles both aspects providing reliable information about the onset of damage under environmentally changing conditions in a period corresponding to about twice the revisit time of the satellite. A case study is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, namely the Palatino bridge in Rome, Italy. The satellite data are acquired by COSMO-SkyMed of the Italian Space Agency and consist of displacements of the observed structure recorded during a period spanning between 2011 and 2019.

The Historical Bridge of Konitsa-Epirus, Greece: Documentation of the Structural System

ABSTRACT The arched stone masonry bridge near the town of Konitsa, over Aoos river (1869 A.D.), was damaged and repaired in 1913 by using concrete. The RC jacket at the intrados is in critical state, exhibiting advanced concrete disintegration and reinforcement corrosion, with minor damage in the original structure of the bridge. In order to provide an intervention scheme for the preservation of the monument and to check whether the reconstruction of the RC jacket needs to be part of the intervention scheme, an overall study of the bridge was undertaken. In this paper, the in-situ and in-lab documentation is presented. To this purpose, non-destructive techniques were applied, along with material sampling and laboratory testing, whereas photogrammetric survey and geotechnical investigation were performed. The collected data serve the purpose of documenting the bearing structure of the bridge and interpreting construction peculiarities revealed during in-situ work.

Displacement-based seismic performance assessment of multi-span steel truss bridges

Simplified mechanics-based approaches for the seismic performance analysis are used for the risk assessment of large bridge portfolios. This study evaluates the applicability and effectiveness of displacement-based assessment (DBA) and nonlinear static procedures for multi-span railway steel truss bridges. Although built in the first part of the last century, these historical bridges are currently in service within the European railway networks, and their seismic performance is poorly investigated in the literature. Direct DBA algorithms and pushover-based procedures aimed at seismic performance assessment and fragility analysis of bridges are presented and tested within a set of case studies parametrically generated by using an archetype steel truss bridge. The first part of this study focuses on the seismic analysis of steel braced towers which, in many situations, compose the substructure of steel truss multi-span bridges. A simplified pseudo-pushover and an accurate equivalent viscous damping formulation are proposed to be used for the approximate performance displacement assessment of these structural components. The second part discusses the accuracy of the investigated approaches for multi-span steel truss bridges through comparisons with nonlinear time history analysis. The results of the parametric analysis are used to propose recommendations for an appropriate DBA or pushover-based strategy for the deterministic performance assessment and fragility analysis with reference to the damage state of the supporting towers or bridge serviceability in terms of superstructure transverse deformation.

Residual life of a historic riveted steel bridge - engineering critical assessment approach

Sustainability has become an increasingly important component of requirements for the rehabilitation of bridge structures. Responsible use of our limited natural resources is essential for future generations, so the whole bridge rehabilitation process must be taken into account, in terms of structural integrity. The environmental impact for these types of structures is major – demolition and reconsideration of e.g. reinforced concrete structure being examples of poor management of resources and energy. On the existing roads and railways network steel bridges with more than 100 years in service lifetime are numerous. The in-service safety assessment of these structures is a complex problem. This article emphasizes the importance of rehabilitating the structure of existing steel bridges, considering the historical monument character of these structures, as well as the reuse of existing structures, part of sustainable development. The paper is presenting a study case for an historical riveted steel bridge build in the beginning of twentieth century, with an assessment method considering the structural integrity by means of fracture mechanics.

Solution for consolidation and retrofitting a historical steel bridge

Sustainable development is a fundamental goal of the European Union and seeks to meet the needs of the present, without compromising the future. The rehabilitation of historic steel constructions and old steel bridges in service, is part of the maintenance and conservation of existing heritage, thus considering a sustainable development concept, while constituting an act of culture.In present time, in Romania there are a relatively small number of steel bridges older than 100 years, especially in Transylvania region; they can be considered "witnesses of the past". Two important aspects are highlighted: consolidation costs are lower than for a new structure and the retrofitted bridge can receive a new, modern functional role that fits functionally into the landscape. The paper is presenting a study case for an existing steel bridge build in the beginning of twentieth century (around year 1925). There are presented solution for consolidation of the bridge and retrofitting, taken into account fatigue design and structural integrity assessment. Critical flaws values were determined for each case type using the failure assessment diagrams. These values are used as limit values for fatigue analysis based on fracture mechanics principles, to determine the number of cycles for a crack to extend from initial to critical dimension, i.e. failure. For the assessment was used the code cyclic loading as a block independent iterative solver – applying the specified stress ranges sequentially line by line, repeating the entire cyclic loading - entire group of cycles for a number of blocks (one block representing all the applied cycles of stress ranges).

Применение методов геоинформатики для изучения и оценивания риска последствий землетрясений

The struggle of mankind against the consequences of strong and catastrophic earthquakes has been going on throughout its history, and so far, success in this field is rather modest. This is due to the complexity and inaccessibility of objects for studying deep geological processes that lead to defor-mation and destruction of the Earth's crust, in which seismicity is manifested. Earthquake risk assess-ment for earthquake mitigation is one of the most important issues for a country where such natural disasters can occur. Tectonic and structural-geological studies using modern space remote sensing tools and their integration with spatial data in a geographic information system (GIS) environment are becoming increasingly popular among scientists. Ruptures and associated surface deformation due to ground shaking can be observed with remote sensing data. The use of remote sensing methods to rec-ognize the displacement of faults was carried out in Isfahan (Iran). Based on the obtained data, a map of seismic activity was compiled with field checks and laboratory data analysis. Thus, the purpose of the article is to show the possibilities of geoinformatics for the study of earthquakes. This will increase resilience to future earthquakes, especially for those historic buildings and bridges that are over 400 years old.