Masonry Arch Bridges Research Articles

Mesoscale partitioned modelling of masonry bridges allowing for arch-backfill interaction

Masonry arch bridges exhibit a complex three-dimensional behaviour which is determined by the interaction between different structural and non-structural components, including the arch barrel, the backfill and the lateral walls. This paper presents an advanced finite-element modelling strategy for studying the behaviour of masonry arch bridges under vertical loading which combines a mesoscale description of the arch barrel with a plasticity-based continuum approach for the fill and the spandrel-walls. The proposed modelling strategy is validated against available experimental laboratory test results on masonry arch bridges. Firstly, a bridge specimen with a detached spandrel wall is analysed considering a simplified strip model. Subsequently, the influence on the bridge response of backfill and arch characteristics, loading position, arch shape and abutment movements are investigated through a comprehensive parametric study. In the final part of the paper, the results of full 3D mesoscale simulations of an arch bridge with attached spandrel walls are presented and discussed. The analysis results provide significant information on the complex interaction between the different bridge components along the longitudinal and transverse direction, and can be used to validate and calibrate simplified approaches for practical assessment of masonry arch bridge.

Experimental analysis on the glass-interlayer system in glass masonry arches

In the last decade there has been an increased usage of cast glass as structural element. Within this respect, a 14 m span glass masonry arch bridge is planned to be constructed at the TU Delft Campus. This paper focuses on part of the experimental analysis that was executed to develop the concept of this bridge. Since it is an arch, the applied loads will be transferred as compressive forces, hence the suitability of glass. Adhesive bonding is not required, since the arch is in compression under its own weight. Application of cast glass bricks in a bridge is a new concept, therefore several aspects with respect to the structural behavior are unknown. Two experimental tests are presented in this paper. First, an experiment with a stacked glass column with varying interlayers is loaded to investigate the stiffness of the interlayer. For PVC interlayers the time-dependent behavior is significant, whereas for polyurethane it is minimal. Furthermore the interlayer’s equivalent modulus of elasticity is dependent on the thickness, due to a difference in the occurring contact areas. Second, a small-scale glass masonry arch is loaded till collapse to investigate the failure behavior and the stresses distribution. It was concluded that a certain robustness is present in the system. Furthermore the brick geometry and the occurrence of sliding are the main aspects that determine the stress distribution. Therewith a stiffer interlayer results in higher stresses in the glass.

Three-dimensional mesoscale modelling of multi-span masonry arch bridges subjected to scour

Many masonry arch bridges cross waterways and are built on shallow foundations which are often submerged and exposed to the scouring action of the stream. The limited resistance of masonry arch bridges to foundation settlements makes them very vulnerable to scour and calls for the development of advanced tools for evaluating and improving the capacity against this flood-induced effect. This paper describes a novel three-dimensional modelling strategy for describing the behaviour of multi-span masonry arch bridges subjected to scour at the base of the pier shallow foundations. A mesoscale description is employed for representing the heterogeneous behaviour of masonry units, mortar joints and brick-mortar interfaces, whereas a domain partitioning approach allowing for parallel computation is used to achieve computational efficiency. The scouring process is described via a time-history analysis in which the elements representing the soil are progressively removed from the model according to a specific scour evolution. The proposed modelling approach is first employed to simulate available experimental tests on a dry masonry wall subjected to the settlement of the bearing system and on a reduced scale brick-masonry bridge specimen subjected to scour-induced pier settlements. Subsequently, a numerical example consisting of a multi-span arch bridge subjected to the scouring action is presented to illustrate the potential of the proposed modelling approach and its capabilities for evaluating the vulnerability and risk of masonry arch bridges under flood scenarios.

Dynamic Behavior of Masonry Arch Bridge under High-Speed Train Loading: Veresk Bridge Case Study

AbstractThis paper studies the dynamic behavior of one of the oldest masonry arch bridges of the Iranian railway network, the Veresk bridge, located in the Mazandaran province of Iran. To do so, th...

Probability of fatigue failure in brick masonry under compressive loading

Long-term fatigue tests under compressive loading were performed on low-strength brick masonry prisms under laboratory conditions. The number of loading cycles to failure were recorded and used to investigate the suitability of the logarithmic normal distribution to describe fatigue test data and to develop a probability based mathematical expression for the prediction of the fatigue life of masonry. The proposed model incorporates the applied maximum stress level, stress range, number of loading cycles and probability of survival. From the mathematical model a set of curves for stress level – cycles to failure – probability of survival (S-N-P) were identified to allow the fatigue life of masonry to be predicted for any desired confidence level. Upper limit, lower limit and mean curves were proposed. The prediction curves were compared with the test data and proposed expressions from the literature and proved to be suitable to predict the fatigue life of masonry. It is surmised that S-N-P curves provide a useful tool to help evaluate the remaining service life of masonry arch bridges at different confidence levels, based on material properties. The proposed mathematical model can be incorporated into existing assessment methodologies, such as SMART to quantify the residual life of brick masonry arch bridges for failure modes associated with compressive loading.

Analysis of Static Load Test of a Masonry Arch Bridge

In order to know whether the carrying capacity of the masonry arch bridge built in the 1980s on the shipping channel entering and coming out of the factory of a cement company can meet the current requirements of Level II Load of highway, through the equivalent load distribution of the test vehicle according to the current design specifications, this paper conducted the load test, evaluated the bearing capacity of the in-service stone arch bridge, and made theoretical analysis combined with Midas Civil. The results showed that under the most unfavorable load conditions the measured strain and deflection of the test sections were less than the calculated values, the bridge was in the elastic stage under the design load; the structural strength and stiffness of the bridge had a certain degree of prosperity, and under the in the current conditions of Level II load of highway, the bridge structure was in a safe state.

Long-term monitoring of relative displacements at the keystone of a masonry arch bridge

Nonstop development of the railway transportation and some demands such as axle load increasing caused many researchers work thoroughly about the sustainable development. It consists of the maintenance of historic structures instead of replacing them. Following the same track, the current research is illustrating the structural health monitoring of a masonry arch railway bridge with the main span of 66 m. The leading concern through this research is the changes in relative displacements of the adjacent blocks. Eccentricity tracing, assessment of the maximum service load, and comparing the changes with the code loading are presented in this paper. Estimation of the dynamic impact factor are among the objectives satisfied by taking advantage of the monitoring data, as well. It is also to rate the efficiency of the applied method in tracing the structural performance of the complex structures like masonry arch bridges.

Rehabilitation and seismic upgrading of the masonry arch bridge over the Magra river in Villafranca

The paper deals with the rehabilitation of an historical masonry bridge crossing the Magra river and connecting the small towns of Mulazzo and Villafranca in the northern part of Tuscany (I).The masonry arch bridge, characterized by eight arches spanning 19 m around each and by around 12 m height intermediate masonry piers on shallow foundations, was built in 1874.Since the original carriageway width was not sufficient to allow two lanes, in 1961 it was widened by means of two lateral prestressed concrete beams, supported by the piers, so hiding the arches and modifying severely the original aspect of the bridge itself.In 2011, during the Magra flooding, two arches on the Mulazzo side collapsed due to scour of the extreme pier.The reconstruction of the collapsed arches and rehabilitation and the strengthening of the bridge, which has been completed last year, is discussed and the execution of the interventions, which has performed without erection of temporary support in the riverbed, is also illustrated.Particular attention is devoted to the original solutions which have been adopted for the full seismic upgrading of the bridge according to the Italian Building Code currently in force, recovering the original architectural aspect of the bridge and widening the carriageway as well.

Sixth Scale Model Studies of Masonry Arch Rib Behaviour at Different Eccentricities

This paper reports a validation study involving sixth scale masonry model to replicate prototype tests carried out on five unit high masonry prisms. In order to test the applicability of small masonry models to real life problems, an investigation into masonry behaviour relevant to the serviceability requirement of masonry arch bridges was chosen as prototype test to validate the small scale masonry tests. Only representative masonry specimens were considered in the study; this corresponded to parts of an arch ring in a complete masonry arch. Two mortar designations; designation iv and designation v were used. These weak mortars tend to conform better to existing old structures. Loads were applied at four eccentricities of 0, 5, 9, and 14 mm from the centre of the specimens. This corresponds to e/d ratios of 0, 0.14, 0.25, and 0.39, where e is the eccentricity of the load and d the length of the transverse section of the specimens. The result shows that validation study corresponds with prototype study for low eccentricities; therefore, strength enhancement is seen over the concentric compressive strength. However, this does not apply at higher eccentricities as specimens were noticed to fail by elastic instability characterised by tension debonding of the top mortar joint.

Elastic, plastic, fracture analysis of masonry arches: A multi-span bridge case study

Abstract In this work a comparison is presented between elastic, plastic, and fracture analysis of the monumental arch bridge of Porta Napoli, Taranto (Italy). By means of a FEM model and applying the Mery’s Method, the behavior of the curved structure under service loads is verified, while considering the Safe Theorem approach byHeyman, the ultimate carrying capacity of the structure is investigated. Moreover, by using Fracture Mechanics concepts, the damage process which takes place when the conditions assessed through linear elastic analysis are no longer valid, and before the set-in of the conditions established by means of the plastic limit analysis, is numerically analyzed. The study of these transitions returns an accurate and effective whole service life assessment of the Porta Napoli masonry arch bridge.

Seismic Performance Evaluation of a Multi-Span Existing Masonry Arch Bridge

Introduction: Existing old masonry arch bridges represent an architectural and cultural heritage of inestimable value because most of them were built in the last century and are still in service. They represent a very important part of roads and railways networks, having also an important strategic role. They are actually serving roads characterized by transit loads definitively heavier and more frequent than the ones of the past. Moreover, very often maintenance absence and material worn away, increased by the way by the environmental conditions, accelerate more and more the elements deterioration with a consequent loss of integrity and reduction of their carrying capacity. Methods: In this paper the seismic assessment of an old multi span masonry arch bridge still in service is evaluated. The bridge, located in Southern Italy, was built before the Second World War and crosses the “Cavone” River, from which it takes the name. Results and Conclusion: A series of numerical analyses are performed in order to evaluate its seismic performance and the model sensitivity with respect to the assumed masonry mechanical properties.

Detection of structural faults in piers of masonry arch bridges through automated processing of laser scanning data

This paper introduces a new methodology for the automated processing of large point clouds for the diagnosis of structural pathologies in piers of masonry arch bridges. This method starts with the automatic segmentation of the global point cloud of the entire bridge in its different structural elements (piers, arches, spandrel walls, etc.). Later, piers were further segmented in order to be able to detect and quantify structural pathologies. Particularly, faults are based in geometric anomalies (tilts and skews) of the pier walls that might be indicators of stability problems of the entire bridge. The methodology was validated using several samples of representative masonry arch bridges. The obtained results demonstrate that this method can provide useful information about the structural health of the bridge requiring neither training in the technology nor advanced knowledge in the processing of laser scanning data.

The finite element analysis of collapse loads of single-spanned historic masonry arch bridges (Ordu, Sarpdere Bridge)

Abstract The current methods used in estimating the collapse loads of masonry arch bridges have been examined, and a study has been made aiming the calculation of the behaviors of the single-spanned masonry arch bridges shows under certain loads with the method of static analysis. The model used for the study was 3D formed with the ANSYS package program, and the results of the analysis were achieved using this program, as well. The model that was created was obtained by using the original dimensions of the historical Sarpdere Bridge located within the province of Ordu. The results obtained have shown compliance with the existing studies in the literature. In addition, the effects of the loads on the bridge that were applied to the different places on the system were examined, and the behaviors of the single-span masonry arch bridges under the loads applied were evaluated. The filler and sidewalls on left and right sides of the arch bridge were differentiated the loading about 10%.

Potential scour evaluation around piers of historical masonry arch bridges: a case study

Bridge scour could be blamed as one of the main causes of failures in masonry arch bridges. Consequently, foundation settlements due to scour are the most threatening cause of damage for historical bridges because of their hidden nature, the capacity to affect the integrity of the whole bridge and the sensitivity of the arches to displacements. Pier settlements produce the development of cracking mechanisms in the arch barrels which affect the global stability of the bridge and lead to irreversible failures and full collapse. Scour estimation in these bridges is a difficult task because of the geometric complexities and existing different shapes of footings. Many empirical equations as well as laboratory data are presented for prediction of the maximum scour depth in bridge piers; however, an equation that especially describes the scour depth in piers with footings has not yet been presented. The scope of this study is to evaluate the scour in the historical Sio-Se-Pol Bridge in Isfahan, Iran. Constriction scour and local scour are computed and their sum is considered as the total scour in the bridge. Comparison of the computations and laboratory results shows an acceptable correlation. Consequently, the existing equations are precise to estimate such scour depths.

Modal identification of a reduced-scale masonry arch bridge with experimental measurements and finite element method

This study aims to investigate modal parameters such as mode shapes, natural frequencies and damping ratios of a reduced scale one-span historical masonry arch bridge constructed in laboratory conditions by performing numerical and experimental analysis. Sarp Dere historical masonry bridge, in Ordu, Ulubey, has 15.5m in length and 4.75m in width was chosen as a prototype model. The reduced-scale bridge model and structural details were carried out in the scale of 1:12.5. Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) technique was used for experimental study. The experimental modal parameters of the bridge model were figured out by using Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD). ANSYS software was used to create 3D finite element (FE) model and to expose the analytical modal parameters of the reduced-scaled bridge model. Moreover, FE model of the reduced-scale bridge model was calibrated based on the experimental results by using the Response Surface based FE model calibration technique to obtain more accurate results. The analysis results of experimental, initial and calibrated FE model were compared. It is noted that there are significant differences between the modal parameters obtained from experimental and initial FE model. Model calibration techniques are beneficial to get a more reasonable FE model.

Effective way to reconstruct arch bridges using concrete walls and transverse strands

There are more than 500 masonry arch bridges in the Czech Road system and about 2500 in the Czech Railway system. Many of them are cracked in the longitudinal (span) direction. The barrel vaults are separated by the cracks into partial masonry arches without load bearing connection in transverse direction. These constructions are about 150 years old and they are also too narrow for the current road system. This paper presents a strengthening method for masonry arch bridges using transverse post-tensioning. This method is very useful not only for strengthening in the transverse direction, but widening of masonry arches can be taken as secondary effect especially in case of road bridges. Several bridges were successfully repaired with the use of this system which seems to be effective and reliable.

Assessment of load carrying capacity enhancement of an open spandrel masonry arch bridge by dynamic load testing

ABSTRACTHealth monitoring of masonry railway bridges is vital due to their long life in service, an increasing demand for higher axle loads, and the recent trends in sustainability that requires the preservation of aged masonry bridges. Safety assessment of a 70-year-old masonry arch bridge is presented. The bridge is situated in a S-shaped curved section of the track and has long spans of 36 m. Added the deterioration of masonry due to old age of the bridge and complex behavior of masonry arch bridges, dynamic load tests are employed and global structural responses to allowable loading schemes of the bridge are determined. Dynamic amplification factors are determined and compared to those proposed by standards and it is concluded that experimental values are higher than those proposed by standards. Model calibration is carried out using deflection signatures. Experimental and analytical natural frequencies are compared for model verification. Having the model calibrated and verified, safety of bridge in serviceability and ultimate limit states due to application of operational loading schemes and higher axle loads are assessed. It is concluded that the bridge is safe regarding operational loading patterns, and could withstand an increased axle load of 25 tons.

Dynamic load testing of a railway masonry arch bridge: A case study of Babak Bridge

Health monitoring of masonry bridges is vital due to their long life in service and an increasing need for higher axle loads. Results of feasibility study of applying an increased axle load of 25 tons to an old masonry bridge are presented in this paper. Babak Bridge is located in north western zone of Iranian railway network and has been in service for more than 70 years. It consists of stone masonry blocks, has three long spans of 21.5 m,7 spans of 10 m, and a total length of 270 m. Response of the bridge subjected to prede ned train loading by 15 sensors, including deflection meters, accelerometers, and strain gauges, is recorded. A total of 37 tests are carried out on Babak Bridge, and the results are used to calibrate the nite-element model of the bridge, which is developed by Abaqus software. The numerical model is then used to determine the weak spots of bridge due to subjection of higher axle loads for a possible strengthening procedure. Ultimate load-carrying capacityof the bridge is also assessed by Ring software, which suggests a minimum adequacy factor of 1.25 for an axle load of 25 tons.

Numerical Simulations for Structural Response of Masonry Arch Bridge with Relieving Slab as Upgradation Strategy

Many of the arch bridges built on the railway network are several decades old and were designed according to the loading prevailed in the standards of practice. Most of these bridges are in good state even today and can be upgraded to meet the present demand and for continued usage. In the present paper, an upgradation strategy is formulated for an existing old masonry arch bridge to accommodate the demand for conversion of meter gauge to the broad gage track, and for improvement in structural performance, as well. A three-dimensional numerical finite element modeling and analyses were performed to evaluate the response parameters and to assess the efficacy of upgradation strategy for accommodating the gauge conversion on an existing masonry arch bridge system. Experimental investigations have been carried out on a typical masonry arch bridge to validate the numerical model. The upgradation of the modified arch-slab bridge system is carried out by introducing reinforced concrete relieving slab over the soil fill. To avoid any tension between the fill and the arch masonry (both barrel and spandrel), special contact elements with friction co-efficient is incorporated in the finite element model. From the numerical simulation studies on the modified arch-slab system for the masonry arch bridge, it is found that the proposed upgradation scheme is efficient to meet the need for broad gauge conversion.

Structural assessment of masonry arch bridges by combination of non-destructive testing techniques and three-dimensional numerical modelling: Application to Vilanova bridge

In this work a multidisciplinary approach for the structural assessment of masonry arch bridges is presented. The Vilanova Bridge, located in Galicia, northwest of Spain, is considered for the implementation of the methodology. A comprehensive field survey fully based on non-destructive testing techniques, which integrates laser scanning, ground penetration radar, sonic tests and ambient vibration testing, is proposed. It provides all the necessary geometric data to build an accurate and detailed three-dimensional finite element model. The calibration of the model is then carried out through the coupling with an optimization algorithm, which minimizes the discrepancies with respect to the experimentally obtained modal properties. The structural analysis of the bridge is addressed in the last stage. A sensitivity analysis involving different loading scenarios and the plausible variation of the masonry and soil material properties is performed. The results demonstrate the significant influence of tensile non-linear properties of masonry, but also the key role played by fill materials on the arch bridge performance. Lastly, the advantages of adopting a three-dimensional modelling approach are also pointed out, since the apparition of critical transverse effects in the response of the structure is successfully captured by the developed numerical model.