Influence of bridge pier and cutwater geometry on the flood resistance of ancient masonry arch bridges

The collapse settlement displacement: a kinematic approach for symmetric semicircular masonry arches

Self-standing bearing capacity of symmetric circular masonry arches at finite friction: Technical handbook of physical states

ABSTRACT Historical masonry bridges in many developing countries are highly vulnerable to seismic damage due to their construction without consideration of regional earthquake risks. This study investigates the seismic behavior of a historical masonry arch bridge that remains in active use. A detailed Finite Element Model (FEM) of the structure was developed using ABAQUS software based on original architectural drawings. Nonlinear time-history analyses were performed using 110 ground motion records to determine seismic demands. Mid-span lateral displacements were used to define damage states under varying seismic intensity levels, based on multiple scaled ground motion records. Analytical fragility curves were derived to estimate the probability of exceeding specific damage levels under varying seismic intensities. To complement the global vulnerability assessment, the Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model was employed to evaluate localized damage patterns, including tensile and compressive failure mechanisms. Results revealed that damage tends to concentrate at the arch bases and span ends, aligning with stress concentrations under seismic loads. The study provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the seismic performance of historical masonry bridges and highlights the necessity of structure-specific evaluations. The methodology and findings are applicable to similar masonry bridge typologies in other earthquake-prone regions, supporting future conservation and retrofitting strategies.

The 3D response of a large-scale masonry arch bridge: Performance under high-cycle fatigue loads

Effect of the location and intensity of damage on the dynamic characterisation of the brick masonry arch using different damage identification indices

Experimental and numerical investigation on the effect of pre-existing damage in the seismic capacity of masonry arches

ABSTRACT Preserving and adaptively reusing historic masonry structures has become a global priority. This study presents a comprehensive numerical assessment of the lateral response of an ancient unreinforced masonry wall with characteristic Persian arches, subjected to varying pre-compression loads and different Centercore retrofitting layouts. Using a detailed micro-modeling finite element approach, an existing wall from Kerman’s Mesgari Bazaar was simulated with advanced nonlinear constitutive laws to capture progressive damage and failure. Nonlinear pushover analyses were performed to evaluate lateral strength, stiffness, ductility, energy absorption, and seismic parameters, including overstrength, force reduction, and response modification factors. Three Centercore configurations were examined: (I) a single Centercore per pier, (II) dual Centercore elements per pier, and (III) dual Centercore elements combined with oblique connectors at the arch-to-pier interfaces. Results showed that configuration III achieved the best overall performance, providing up to a threefold increase in shear capacity and a 90% reduction in crack width compared with the unreinforced wall. Tangent stiffness and effective stiffness improved by up to 5.6 times, while displacement ductility and normalized energy absorption rose by factors of 10.3 and 19, respectively. Comparative analyses further demonstrated that wall geometry and aspect ratio strongly influence the optimal retrofitting strategy for masonry arches.

Masonry arch bridges supported by shallow foundations are vulnerable to foundation scour due to the low burial depth. Although current studies have investigated the structural behaviours and failure mechanism of masonry arch bridges under hydraulic effects, the three-dimensional (3D) nature of scour has not been treated accurately. Most studies focus on evaluating their structural performance under foundation scour through a deterministic approach without considering the structural, hydraulic and geological uncertainties. A lack of risk-based indicators hinders the anti-flood design of bridges. To bridge the gap, this study performed a probabilistic analysis considering the 3D scour morphology with a risk-based indicator. Firstly, a refined finite element model of a masonry arch bridge was built considering the spatial scour morphology. Then, possible failure modes of the bridge were summarised and assessed. Next, fragility evaluations were performed to deduce the potential failure mode. Finally, a risk-based indicator was proposed to include the uncertainty of hydraulic parameters, and the results of two masonry arch bridges with the same structural and geotechnical parameters but different hydraulic parameters were compared. The systematic analysis includes the uncertainty of hydraulic and structural parameters on the anti-flood risk of masonry arch bridges and can significantly improve their anti-flood performance.

This study investigates the structural behavior of the historical bridge located in the “Yukhari Bash” National Architectural Reserve Zone in Sheki, Azerbaijan, using finite element analysis (FEA) before and after its restoration. The primary objective is to evaluate the performance of the bridge under self-weight and seismic loads, following the standards of the Turkish Building Earthquake Code. The bridge, constructed primarily with limestone masonry, was analyzed using SAP2000 software. The results indicate that the structural integrity under compressive and shear stresses remained within acceptable limits both before and after restoration. However, post-restoration improvements in stress distribution and deformation were evident. This paper contributes to the preservation of historic structures through modern engineering analysis and provides insights into the appropriate restoration practices for masonry arch bridges.

The bridge crossing the Gesso River is a multi-span masonry arch bridge built in the 19th century in Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy. Due to extended local degradation and damage, the bridge recently underwent a significant strengthening intervention. Ambient vibration tests (AVTs) were performed both before and after the strengthening to assess the effectiveness of the repairs. The paper presents the results of the dynamic investigations, identifying the modal characteristics of the masonry bridge through different techniques. The pre-intervention analysis revealed clear anomalies, including a sort of "frequency splitting" phenomenon and irregularities in the mode shapes, that were localized in the regions of maximum masonry decay. After the strengthening works, the identified modal parameters showed an increase of natural frequencies, along with the resolution of previously identified mode shape irregularities, indicating a clear improvement of the bridge structural condition. As a final remark, the presented results highlight the value of operational modal analysis (OMA) as a non-destructive tool for validating the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures.

ABSTRACT Iron tie-rods are essential components in historic masonry arches, contributing both to structural stability and long-term conservation. Accurate axial force assessment is vital for their performance evaluation, yet conventional contact-based techniques are often hindered by high costs, installation constraints, and reduced practicality in heritage contexts. This study presents a novel, step-by-step video-based measurement (VBM) procedure for contactless monitoring, dynamic response identification, and axial force estimation of tie-rods. The method integrates Hybrid Motion Magnification (HMM) for noise suppression in poor environmental conditions with Video Vibration Sensing (VVS) for pixel-level displacement tracking, enabling reliable measurements without specialized equipment. Applied to four tie-rods in the Ali Paşa Cami Mosque (Turkey), the procedure achieved modal frequency and damping ratio estimates within 1.6% and 4.9% of reference accelerometer data, and motion response peaks within 5%. The approach also provided calibrated axial force estimation, accounting for semi-rigid connections, and is suitable for long-term online monitoring. The results demonstrate that the VBM framework offers a low-cost, non-invasive, and high-accuracy alternative to conventional sensing, with potential applications to other slender structural members in heritage and modern engineering contexts.

It is our pleasure to publish the October issue (4th issue) of Vol. 2 of the International Journal of Bridge engineering, Management and Research. You can find detailed information about the journal in the inaugural issue of the journal in September 2004 or at www.ijbemr.org. In this issue of the journal, we are pleased to bring to you the following six papers in innovative areas of bridge engineering: Clustering-Based Framework for Multi-Sensor Data Fusion in Bridge Deck Condition Assessment Influence of Nose Position of Edge Fairing on Aerodynamic Characteristics of Box Girder Bridge Deck Seismic Isolation in Newly Built Bridges in Italy: Historical Development, Regulations, and Recent Applications Smart Acoustic Sounding for Automated Delamination Detection in Concrete Bridge Decks Dynamic investigations before and after the strengthening of a masonry arch bridge History of Bridges: Materials and Structural Types of a Monument to Progress

3D digital image correlation for field assessment of masonry arch bridges

A damage mechanics framework for in-plane seismic analysis of heritage masonry arch bridges under multiple events

Finite-friction least-thickness self-standing domains of symmetric circular masonry arches. Part III: Complementary representations, extremal conditions and collapse multiplicity

Point cloud-based analysis of skewed masonry arch bridge deformations and support movements using ArchScanFit

A methodology for the rapid and reliable assessment of existing masonry arch bridges containing defects

Numerical and Experimental Investigation into the Effects of Geometric Pattern on the Load-Bearing Capacity of Persian Brick Masonry Arches

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the seismic performance of a multi‐span masonry arch bridge using an advanced modeling approach based on the Distinct Element Method. Located in Italy and constructed of regular stone masonry, the bridge features three consecutive arch vaults with similar geometry. The three‐dimensional structure of the bridge is modeled using the commercial software 3DEC, as an assembly of discrete blocks including all its different structural and nonstructural components, such as piers, abutments, arch vaults, backing, spandrel walls, and backfill material. Masonry is represented as an assembly of rigid blocks connected by zero‐thickness interfaces, while the backfill is modeled as a continuum mesh based on plasticity theory. The bridge geometry and material properties are derived from available in‐situ surveys. Sensitivity analyses on the level of detail of the model are conducted to balance numerical accuracy and computational effort. A Maxwell damping model is employed to further reduce the time window required by dynamic simulations. Multi‐stripe nonlinear time‐history analyses are carried out, applying 200 three‐component ground‐motion records. The results are presented and discussed in terms of observed damage patterns and relationships between a case‐specific engineering demand parameter (EDP) and typical intensity measures. Thresholds for various performance levels (PLs), including usability preventing damage and global collapse, are defined based on a statistical correlation between the selected EDP and the damage observed in each time‐history analysis. Fragility curves are then generated for each of the considered PLs. Finally, model uncertainties are explored by introducing geometric variations in bridge components, highlighting their impact on the seismic vulnerability of the structure.