Stone Arch Research Articles

Application Of FAHP for Stone Arch Bridge Strengthening Scheme Optimization

Abstract In order to establish the appraisal target system, the principles and methods of the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) were described in aspects of structuring the comparative judgment matrix described by interval numbers, solving both the interval weight vector and the comprehensive weights of the general target detemuned by various layers, and selecting the strengthening proposal out of the various schemes. By an actual project of strengthening stone arch bridge, application of the principles and methods of the FAHP to detemune the optimal proposals was introduced. From the paper, it is visual to know how to select the optimal proposal from the various schemes by mathematical principle. It will promote the development of the systemization, standardization and theorization of bridge strengthening.

Security Identification Technologies for Stone Arch Bridges at Service

Abstract The typical diseases of stone arch bridge in the Three Gorges Reservoir area are snmmarized through the investigation, and four kinds of typical diseases of stone arch bridges are investigated and evaluated by spatial fmite element software. Based on these investigations, the limited value index of the security and the identification technology of the four typical diseases of the bridge are obtained, which is of certain referential significance for the rank-and-file technical personnel to evaluate the security of stone arch bridge effectively and expediently.

Preparation of porous silica ceramics with relatively high strength by a TBA-based gel-casting method

Porous silica ceramics with relatively high mechanical strength can be successfully fabricated via a novel tert-butyl alcohol-based gel-casting method. The microstructure similar to stone arch bridges and the sintering neck can be easily observed due to the evaporation of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) during the drying process. The porosity of samples with different solid loading sintered at 1150°C varied within the range of 56.4% and 70.1%, as the bulk density from 0.67 to 1.04g/cm3. The compressive strength of sintered silica ceramics increased from 4.32MPa to 8.82MPa, which was attributed to the 3D-framework structure and the connection of silica particles. By setting the solid loading (15wt.%) and changing the sintering temperature from 1050 to 1200°C, the porosity of the sintered samples varied within the range of 51% and 72.4%, as the bulk density remarkably varied from 0.59 to 1.18g/cm3 and pore sizes from 3.31 to 2.89nm.

숭례문 사례를 통한 육축 문화재의 구조특성 연구

It is hard to predict the mechanical characteristics of discontinuous stone masonry structures with the use of by the static analysis method, because of irregularity of face stones and also due to randomness of backfill materials. Inversely, one can estimate the mechanical characteristics by comparing the natural frequencies between measured from the field tests and computed from the analytical models. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness and confidence of the computational modeling method of ancient stone arch bridges in Korea and to find the factors influencing their dynamic characteristics. The results revealed that the rigidity of spandrel walls and backfill materials are the most important factors influencing the natural frequencies of stone arch bridges, which are the critical for the stability of the stone arch structure.

Remaining Service Life Prediction of Reinforced Stone Arch Bridge

The remaining service life of reinforced stone arch bridges is of great concern to management and conservation units. It is also the scientific basis for decision to next reinforced maintenance or rebuild. The concept of time-dependent reliability is introduced. Accoding to the most common section enlargement reinforcement method, the load and resistance of the structures are analyzed. The analysis methods and steps of life prediction are proposed, and the remaining service life is obtained. Based on above methods, an engineering example is given, the service life forecast calculation of reinforced stone arch bridges is discussed.

Ultimate Bearing Capacity Analysis of Long-Span Continuous Stone Arch Bridge

In the past 50 years, many long-span continuous stone arch bridges have been built in China. Analysis of mechanical performances and load capacities of long-span continuous stone arch bridges has important significances for the safety assessment of the similar bridges. 3D elastoplastic finite element method is employed to analyze ultimate bearing capacity of a three-span arch bridge with sandstone masonry in this paper. The characteristics of structural geometric and material nonlinearities and cracking and crushing of the masonry are taken into account. Compared with single-span arch bridge, both the coaction of spandrel structure and main arch and the influence of loading arrangements on ultimate bearing capacity is analyzed. The failure characteristics of the structure under the ultimate load are also introduced. The analysis results and conclusions can be referenced for the safety assessment of similar bridges.

Glacial and Periglacial Relief in the Făgăraş Mountain, with Special Focus on the Vâlsan River Basin

The glacial modeling has created two well individualized geomorphologic landscapes in the Transylvanian Alpes: Borascu, characterized by the large extension of the platform and high peaks, and Fagaras, where cirques were multiplied and have developed until they reduced the platform to a very sharp ridge (gipfelflur). The layout of the main ridge on the West-East direction and the overall morphography of the two slopes, the northern one short and steep and the southern long, with gentle slopes, were also reflected in the way of development of glaciers in the Quaternary. In the Vâlsan basin there are distinguished some particularities of the glacial landform. Thus, the glacial landform of this sector of the Fagaras Mountains is characterized by a small steep (200-300m) which favored the development of a long glacial valley with gentle slopes and led to the forming of the moraines at the glacial valley floor. The Vâlsan glacial cirque is at 2300m altitude, is small and has small lakes. The bottom of the cirque is flat and is predominantly grafted on mica-schist and gneisses. The Vâlsan glacial valley is North-South oriented and has several glacial thresholds. The slopes surrounding the Vâslan valley are symmetrical, being affected by torrents and avalanches. Other characteristic landforms are: narrow glacial crests, glacial replats ridges, nunataks and moraines. The frost wedging caused the residual relief represented by sharp ridges, peaks, landforms of accumulation, debris cones, glacis, stone arches, protalus ramparts. Overall, the Vâlsan glacial valley is a typical valley where the intensive post-glacial processes have hidden most of the features resulting from the glaciers action, which kept the characteristic „U” shape and the glacial replats appear from place to place under glacises and rock debris.

Rehabilitation of masonry arches with compatible advanced composite material

Stone masonry arches are structures of great functional and architectural importance as they may be found in a large number of constructions that are mainly historic buildings. Although relatively solid structures, time has taught us that environmental conditions, as well as their load history, use and possible accidents can lead to their collapse, all of which entails a risk of losing a large amount of our architectural and cultural heritage. In this research work a compatible strengthening system for the rehabilitation of stone arches was investigated. The strengthening material was constituted of basalt textile embedded in an inorganic matrix known as Basalt Textile-Reinforced Mortar (BTRM) and provides an alternative to the usual reinforcement methods. The research work was based on an integral analysis of this reinforcement solution and its application to stone masonry. The first stage involved physical–chemical and mechanical tests to characterise the materials that constitute the masonry and the strengthening system. In the second stage, six arches were tested by means of displacement control up to the point of collapse. These arches were built according to different criteria: (1) dry or with mortar joints and (2) non-strengthened or strengthened on the extrados. The experimental results obtained in this research work demonstrated good physical–chemical compatibility between the BTRM reinforcement system and the corresponding stone masonry substrate and validated its mechanical effectiveness for the reinforcement of arched structures in terms of load-bearing capacity and ductility.

Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to the Structural Safety Evaluation of Stone Arch Bridge in Service for over 10 Years

Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to the Structural Safety Evaluation of Stone Arch Bridge in Service for over 10 Years

Defying The Odds: The Stone Arch Bridge

The only masonry structure ever to be constructed over the Mississippi River, Minneapolis’s Stone Arch Bridge was hailed as a remarkable feat of engineering upon its completion, in 1883.

Test Study of Shear Strength of High Strength Stone Masonry

In China many long span stone arch bridges were built in the last 5 decades, most of these bridges were built with micro-aggregate concrete joint masonry. However, the mechanical properties of this kind masonry have been seldom studied. Based on 5 groups of specimens with C30 or C40 micro-aggregate concrete joints and dressed blocks, shear strength of the masonry is tested and analyzed, friction coefficients and empiric formulas of shear strength of the masonry are presented in this paper, design value of shear strength of the masonry is assessed and discussed.

Innovative Strengthening Solution Based on Textile Reinforced Mortar for Stone Masonry Arches

This paper aims to present the design, strengthening and testing of full scale masonry walls and arches. The preservation of our cultural heritage is a really important topic. Majority of masonry structures are deteriorated because of ageing effects, load increments, movements at their foundations, etc. Because of this, retrofitting is needed. In order to afford this problem, a compatible and minimally invasive strengthening technique based on Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) is developed. The experimental campaign consists of the characterisation of the constitutive materials of the stone structures and the strengthening textile and mortar (TRM has been characterised by pure tensile tests). Furthermore, the influence of the different arrangements of the masonry and mortar type has been analysed by testing 24 masonry prisms. Finally, 12 full-scale stone arches have been erected, strengthened and tested. The purpose is to compare the mechanical behaviour up to failure of both unstrengthened and strengthened structures. During the tests the effectiveness of the technique has been proved being the ultimate load up to 21 times higher.

A semi-analytical approach for the dynamics of the stone arch

A semi-analytical approach is proposed for modelling the plane dynamics of a stone arch, treated as a system of rigid elements with friction and unilateral contacts at each joint. By generalising the method proposed in a previous paper, the analytical approach is firstly applied to the plane dynamics of a rectangular block simply supported on a moving base. In this case, where the contact although sometimes extended is unique, dynamics is formulated as a frictional contact problem, and conditions for onset of motion according to various mechanisms are fully analytically identified; moreover, criteria for evaluating contact reactions during either smooth or non-smooth dynamics are outlined. The method is then extended to the case of the arch, where each element is characterised at most by a double extended contact; criteria for the onset of motion and evaluation for each element of contact reactions during the dynamic evolution are then identified. The approach proposed constitutes a first step for performing dynamic analysis through either an event-driven or a time-stepping numerical procedure.

A Study on the Safety Assesment of Historical Stone Arch Bridges

A Study on the Safety Assesment of Historical Stone Arch Bridges

Static tests on a soil–steel bridge structure with a relieving slab

The paper deals with a new, arch road bridge made from structural corrugated plates, over the Plawna Stream, on a local road between Bystrzyca Klodzka and Ladek Zdroj in Stary Waliszow, Poland. The bridge replaced the old stone arch bridge that was destroyed during the flood of 1997. The steel bridge is founded on two continuous footings made of reinforced concrete. Its effective span is 10.00 m and its clear height is 4.02 m. The results of tests carried out on the bridge under three static load schemes after four years of service are presented. The average values of the measured displacements and strains in selected points and elements of the steel shell structure were found to be considerably lower than the ones calculated for the same load. Since designs of this type are more and more often adopted for small- and medium-size bridges, the conclusions drawn from the presented tests can be generalised to the whole class of such bridge structures.

Unilateral contact and damage analysis in masonry arches

In the present work the ultimate failure load and the collapse mechanism of a stone arch bridge are estimated by the usage of (a) a multi - part elastic model with unilateral contact frictional interfaces and (b) a continuous damage model. According to the contact model, contact interfaces simulating potential cracks are considered and their opening or sliding indicates crack initiation. The second model deals with the material damage consisting in the development of internal micro cracks that affect the load bearing capacity of the material. Satisfactory comparison of the results is reported here.

Study on the mechanical behavior of damaged stone arch bridges

Study on the mechanical behavior of damaged stone arch bridges

Estimation of Static and dynamic strength of stone arch bridges by using a discrete finite element model

Estimation of Static and dynamic strength of stone arch bridges by using a discrete finite element model

Static Load Tests of a Corrugated Steel Plate Arch with Relieving Slab

This paper deals with a new arch road bridge made from structural corrugated plates, over the Plawna Stream on a local road between Bystrzyca Klodzka and Ladek Zdroj in Stary Waliszow, Poland. The bridge replaced the old stone arch bridge destroyed during the flood of 1997. The steel bridge is founded on two continuous footings made of reinforced concrete. Its effective span is 10.00 m and clear height is 4.02 m. The results of tests carried out on the bridge under three static load schemes after 4 years of service are presented. The average values of the measured displacements and strains in selected points and elements of the steel shell structure were found to be considerably lower than the ones calculated for the same load. Since designs of this type are now commonly used for small and medium-size bridges, the conclusions drawn from the presented tests can be generalized to the whole class of such bridge structures.

Structural Characterization of a Stone Arch Bridge by Experimental Tests and Numerical Model Updating

The Rakanji stone arch bridge has three spans of approximately 26 m, and the total length of the bridge is approximately 89.3 m. The rise:span ratio is approximately 0.19; hence, the arches are very shallow. To clarify the structural characterization of the Rakanji stone arch bridge, a series of dynamic, non-destructive and destructive tests are conducted. From material tests, the Young's modulus and compressive strength of the stone are estimated to be 17.2 kN/mm2 and 28.5 N/mm2, respectively, whereas those of the mortar are estimated as 5.5–7.8 kN/mm2 and 3.9–9.1 N/mm2, respectively. From the results of dynamic tests, the fundamental frequencies, modes, and damping factors of the Rakanji stone arch bridge are identified by eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA) model. From the results of numerical model updating based on inverse eigensensitivity method (IEM), the damaged areas including the effect of boundary condition and bridge-soil interaction are identified and these areas correspond well to those through the in situ tests and visual inspection.