Structural Investigation of Masonry Arch Bridges Using Various Nonlinear Finite-Element Models
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 7
Abstract
This article presents an investigation of the structural behavior of a masonry arch bridge in Turkey. An analytical study has been conducted to provide the geometry of the structure, using laser scanning. A point cloud describing the geometry was obtained and properly transformed into a format that is appropriate for structural analysis software (CAE). Then, nonlinear finite-element models were developed to simulate structural responses of the bridge. The goal of the article is to highlight the influence of both continuum and discrete approaches and related constitutive laws on the responses of the bridge. Thus, continuum damage laws and a discrete model consisting of unilateral contact–friction interfaces were developed. Different load cases were tested and a comparison between the results obtained from the different approaches was considered. The failure mechanisms and the ultimate strengths were derived, and core points of the models were highlighted. The output of this work shows how the different failure models predict the behavior of the masonry arches. It also shows that the three-hinge mechanism, which has been depicted in classical studies for single-span arch masonry bridges under a horizontal settlement of supports, may also be obtained for multiarch bridges. Similarly, downward, vertical settlement of supports may result in the development of two hinges, as in single-span arches. Finally, the beneficial influence of the backfill in limiting the failure in the arch is addressed.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the General Directorate of Highways of Turkey for providing access to the data of the presented monument.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
References
Armesto, J., J. Roca-Pardiñas, H. Lorenzo, and P. Arias. 2010. “Modelling masonry arches shape using terrestrial laser scanning data and nonparametric methods.” Eng. Struct. 32 (2): 607–615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2009.11.007.
Ashurst, D. 1992. An assessment of repair and strengthening techniques for brick and stone masonry arch bridges. Richmond, UK: The National Archives.
Ataei, S., M. Jahangiri Alikamar, and V. Kazemiashtiani. 2016. “Evaluation of axle load increasing on a monumental masonry arch bridge based on field load testing.” Constr. Build. Mater. 116: 413–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.04.126.
Belarbi, A., and T. T. Hsu. 1994. “Constitutive laws of concrete in tension and reinforcing bars stiffened by concrete.” Struct. J. 91 (4): 465–474.
Campbell, J. W., and M. Tutton. 2013. Staircases: History, repair and conservation. London: Routledge.
Casapulla, C., E. Mousavian, and M. Zarghani. 2019. “A digital tool to design structurally feasible semi-circular masonry arches composed of interlocking blocks.” Comput. Structu. 221: 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2019.05.001.
Catalan, R., and L. Aldea. 2007. “New tendencies on repair and strengthening on masonry arch bridges.” In Proc., 5th Int. Conf. on Arch Bridges, 12–14. Braga, Portugal: Universidade do Minho.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2005. Design of masonry structures. Part 1-1: General rules for reinforced and unreinforced masonry structures. Eurocode 6. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
Conde, B., L. F. Ramos, D. V. Oliveira, B. Riveiro, and M. Solla. 2017. “Structural assessment of masonry arch bridges by combination of non-destructive testing techniques and three-dimensional numerical modelling: Application to Vilanova bridge.” Eng. Struct. 148: 621–638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.07.011.
Crisfield, M. 1985. Finite element and mechanism methods for the analysis of masonry and brickwork arches. Research Rep. Berkshire, UK: Transport and Road Research Laboratory.
Domede, N., A. Sellier, and T. Stablon. 2013. “Structural analysis of a multispan railway masonry bridge combining in situ observations, laboratory tests and damage modelling.” Eng. Struct. 56: 837–849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.05.052.
Drosopoulos, G. A., G. E. Stavroulakis, and C. V. Massalas. 2008. “Influence of the geometry and the abutments movement on the collapse of stone arch bridges.” Constr. Build. Mater. 22 (3): 200–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2006.09.001.
Erdoğan, Y. 2011. “Engineering properties of Turkish travertines.” Sci. Res. Essays 6 (21): 4551–4566. https://doi.org/10.5897/SRE11.795.
Ford, T., C. Augarde, and S. Tuxford. 2003. “Modelling masonry arch bridges using commercial finite element software.” In Proc., 9th Int. Conf. on Civil and Structural Engineering Computing, edited by B. H. V. Topping, 161–203. Stirlingshire, UK: Civil-Comp Press.
GDH (General Directorate of Highways). 2021. Burdur province, Bucak district, Dağarcık bridge. [In Turkish.] Technical Rep. Ankara, Turkey: GDH.
Gönen, S., and S. Soyöz. 2021. “Seismic analysis of a masonry arch bridge using multiple methodologies.” Eng. Struct. 226: 111354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111354.
Guastavino, R., and R. G. Moreno. 2006. Escritos sobre la construcción cohesiva y su función en la arquitectura. Barcelona, España: Reverte.
Heyman, J. 1982. The masonry arch. Chichester, UK: Ellis Horwood.
Hibbitt, D., B. Karlsson, and P. Sorensen. 2012. Abaqus 6.12. 3 manual. Providence, RI: SIMULIA.
Hognestad, E. 1951. Study of combined bending and axial load in reinforced concrete members. Urbana, IL: Univ. of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, College of Engineering.
Hughes, T., and M. Blackler. 1997. “A review of the UK masonry arch assessment methods.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Struct. Build. 122 (3): 305–315. https://doi.org/10.1680/istbu.1997.29801.
Hughes, T. G., S. C. Hee, and E. Soms. 2002. “Mechanism analysis of single span masonry arch bridges using a spreadsheet.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Struct. Build. 152 (4): 341–350. https://doi.org/10.1680/stbu.2002.152.4.341.
Lubliner, J., J. Oliver, S. Oller, and E. Oñate. 1989. “A plastic-damage model for concrete.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 25 (3): 299–326. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7683(89)90050-4.
Lubowiecka, I., J. Armesto, P. Arias, and H. Lorenzo. 2009. “Historic bridge modelling using laser scanning, ground penetrating radar and finite element methods in the context of structural dynamics.” Eng. Struct. 31 (11): 2667–2676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2009.06.018.
Maravelakis, E., A. Konstantaras, A. Kritsotaki, D. Angelakis, and M. Xinogalos. 2013. “Analysing user needs for a unified 3D metadata recording and exploitation of cultural heritage monuments system.” In 9th Int. Symp. Visual Computing, 138–147. Berlin: Springer.
Melbourne, C. 1991. “Conservation of masonry arches.” In Proc., 9th Int. Brick/Block Masonry Conf., 1563–1570. Berlin: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Maurerwerksbau e.V.
Melbourne, C., and M. Gilbert. 1995. “The behavior of multiring brickwork arch bridges.” Struct. Eng. 73 (3): 39–47.
Melbourne, C., L. McKibbins, N. Sawar, and C. Sicilia Gaillard. 2006. Masonry arch bridges: condition appraisal and remedial treatment. London: CIRIA.
Motsa, S. M., G. A. Drosopoulos, M. E. Stavroulaki, E. Maravelakis, R. P. Borg, P. Galea, S. d’Amico, and G. E. Stavroulakis. 2020. “Structural investigation of Mnajdra megalithic monument in Malta.” J. Cult. Heritage 41: 96–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2019.07.004.
Mousavian, E., and C. Casapulla. 2020. “Quantifiable feasibility check of masonry assemblages composed of interlocking blocks.” Adv. Eng. Software 149: 102898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2020.102898.
Page, J. 1993. Masonry arch bridges. Transport Research Laboratory. London: HMSO.
Pulatsu, B., E. Erdogmus, and P. B. Lourenço. 2019. “Comparison of in-plane and out-of-plane failure modes of masonry arch bridges using discontinuum analysis.” Eng. Struct. 178: 24–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.10.016.
RING. 2021. “LimitState:RING - Powerful masonry arch analysis software.” Accessed February 3, 2021. https://www.limitstate.com/ring.
Sarhosis, V., S. De Santis, and G. de Felice. 2016. “A review of experimental investigations and assessment methods for masonry arch bridges.” Struct. Infrastruct. Eng. 12 (11): 1439–1464.
Sevim, B., A. Bayraktar, A. Altunişik, S. Atamturktur, and F. Birinci. 2011. “Assessment of nonlinear seismic performance of a restored historical arch bridge using ambient vibrations.” Nonlinear Dyn. 63: 755–770. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-010-9835-y.
Towler, K. D. S. 1985. “Applications of non-linear finite element codes to masonry arches.” In Proc., 2nd Int. Conf. on Civil and Structural Engineering Computing, edited by B. H. V. Topping, 197–202. Edinburgh, UK: Civil-Comp Press.
Van Beek, G. W. 1987. “Arches and vaults in the ancient Near East.” Sci. Am. 257 (1): 96–103. https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0787-96.
Wilmers, W. 2012. “Restoration of masonry arch bridges.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Bridge Eng. 165: 135–146.
Zampieri, P., G. Tecchio, F. Da Porto, and C. Modena. 2015. “Limit analysis of transverse seismic capacity of multispan masonry arch bridges.” Bull. Earthquake Eng. 13 (5): 1557–1579. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-014-9664-3.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 7 • July 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 17, 2021
Accepted: Jan 23, 2022
Published online: May 6, 2022
Published in print: Jul 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Oct 6, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Houman Fazeli, Esmaeel Izadi Zaman Abadi, Seyed Jalil Hoseini, Experimental and numerical study of the effect of steel Tie-rods on load-bearing capacity of Persian brick arches, Structures, 10.1016/j.istruc.2022.12.038, 48, (64-78), (2023).
- Paolo Borlenghi, Antonella Saisi, Carmelo Gentile, ND testing and establishing models of a multi-span masonry arch bridge, Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring, 10.1007/s13349-022-00666-1, (2023).