Safety Assessment of a Masonry Arch Bridge: Field Testing and Simulations
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 18, Issue 2
Abstract
The safety of an in-service brick arch railway bridge is assessed through field testing and finite-element analysis. Different loading test train configurations have been used in the field testing. The response of the bridge in terms of displacements, strains, and accelerations is measured under the ambient and design train traffic loading conditions. Nonlinear fracture mechanics–based finite-element analyses are performed to assess the margin of safety. A parametric study is done to study the effects of tensile strength on the progress of cracking in the arch. Furthermore, a stability analysis to assess collapse of the arch caused by lateral movement at the springing of one of the abutments that is elastically supported is carried out. The margin of safety with respect to cracking and stability failure is computed. Conclusions are drawn with some remarks on the state of the bridge within the framework of the information available and inferred information.
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Acknowledgments
The financial support provided by the South Western Railway of Indian Railways is gratefully acknowledged.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 18 • Issue 2 • February 2013
Pages: 162 - 171
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 15, 2011
Accepted: Nov 15, 2011
Published online: Nov 17, 2011
Published in print: Feb 1, 2013
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