Skip to main content
Log in

Simplified seismic assessment of multi-span masonry arch bridges

  • Original Research Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The paper describes a simplified methodology for the evaluation of the seismic retrofit intervention types to be performed on clusters of multi-span masonry arch bridges, on the basis of the main bridges geometrical characteristics. The structural behaviour of the analysed sample bridges has been evaluated in their principal directions highlighting the potential local and global vulnerabilities and the related retrofit intervention typologies that need to be selected. The main aim of this study is to take the form of an useful tool for identify the best retrofit strategies for each masonry bridge structure in function of its geometrical characteristics and thus planning rationally the management of bridges belonging to rail and road networks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Audenaert A, Fanning P, Sobczak L, Peremans H (2008) 2-D analysis of arch bridges using an elasto-plastic material model. Eng Struct 30:845–855

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bacigalupo A, Gambarotta L (2012) Effects of layered accretion on the mechanics of masonry structures. Mech Based Design Struct Mach 40:163–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boothby T (1995) Collapse modes of masonry arch bridges. J Bridge Mason Soc 9(2):62–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Boothby TE, Roberts BJ (2001) Transverse behaviour of masonry arch bridges. Struct Eng 79(9):21–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Brencich A, De Francesco U (2004) Assessment of multi-span masonry arch bridges. Part I: a simplified approach, part II: examples and applications. J Bridge Eng ASCE 9(6):582–598

  • Carturan F, Zanini MA, Pellegrino C, Modena C (2014) A unified framework for earthquake risk assessment of transportation networks and gross regional product. Bull Earthq Eng 12(2):795–806

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavicchi A, Gambarotta L (2005) Collapse analysis of masonry bridges taking into account arch-fill interaction. Eng Struct 27:605–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavicchi A, Gambarotta L (2007) Lower bond limit analysis of masonry bridges including arch-fill interaction. Eng Struct 29:3002–3014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemente P (1997) Verifica degli archi a conci lapidei. RT/AMB/97/10, ENEA, Roma (in Italian)

  • Clemente P (1998) Introduction to dynamics of stone arches. Earthq Eng Struct Dynam 27:513–522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemente P, Occhiuzzi A, Raithel A (1995) Limit behaviour of stone arch bridges. J Struct Eng ASCE 121(7):1045–1050

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemente P, Buffarini G, Rinaldis D (2010) Application of limit analysis to stone arch bridges. Proc. 6th Int. conference on arch bridges, ARCH’010, October 11–13, 2010, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

  • De Lorenzis L, DeJong M, Oschendorf J (2007) Failure of masonry arches under impulse base motion. Earthq Struct Dynam 6:2119–2136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Luca A, Giordano A, Mele E (2004) A simplified procedure for assessing the seismic capacity of masonry arches. Eng Struct 26:1915–1929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eurocode 8—Part 1-1 (2005) Design provisions for earthquake resistance of structures. Part 1-1: general rules—seismic actions and general requirements for structures. ENV 1998-1, CEN: Brussels

  • Fajfar P, Gašperšič P (1996) The N2 method for the seismic damage analysis of RC buildings. Earthq Eng Struct Dynam 25:23–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fanning P, Boothby TE (2001) Three-dimensional modelling and full-scale testing of stone arch bridges. J Comput Struct 79(29–30):2645–2662

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fanning P, Sobczak L, Boothby TE, Salomoni V (2005) Load testing and model simulations for a stona arch bridge. Bridge Struct 1(4):367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert M (1998) On the analysis of multi-ring brickwork arch bridges. Proc. 2nd Int. conference on arch bridges, arch bridges, October 6–9, 1998, Venice, Italy

  • Gilbert M (2007) Limit analysis applied to masonry arch bridges: state-of-the-art and recent developments, Proc. 6th Int. conference on arch bridges, ARCH’07, September 12–14, Madeira, Portugal

  • Gilbert M, Melbourne C (1994) Rigid-block analysis to masonry arch bridges. Struct Eng 72:356–361

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyman J (1966) The stone skeleton. Int J Solids Struct 2:249–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heyman J (1972) Coulomb’s memoirs on statics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyman J (1982) The masonry arch. Ellis Horwood, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes TG, Blackler MJ (1995) A review of the UK masonry assessment methods. Proc Inst Civil Eng Struct Build 110(4):373–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Junzhe W, Heath A, Walker P (2013) Transverse behaviour of masonry arch bridge—investigation of spandrel wall failure. Proceedings of 7th international conference on arch bridges—maintenance, assessment and repair, 2–4 October 2013, Trogir-Split, Croatia

  • MidasFEA (2009) Midas FEA v2.9.6, Nonlinear and detail FE analysis system for civil structures. Midas Information Technology Co. Ltd

  • Modena C, Tecchio G, Pellegrino C, da Porto F, Dona M, Zampieri P, Zanini MA (2014) Reinforced concrete and masonry arch bridges in seismic areas: typical deficiencies and retrofitting strategies. Struct Infrastruct Eng. doi:10.1080/15732479.2014.951859

    Google Scholar 

  • Molins C, Roca P (1998) Capacity of masonry arches and spatial frames. J Struct Eng 124:653–663

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morbin R, Zanini MA, Pellegrino C, Zhang H, Modena C (2015) A probabilistic strategy for seismic assessment and FRP retrofitting of existing bridges. Bull Earthq Eng. doi:10.1007/s10518-015-9725-2

  • Pelà L, Aprile A, Benedetti A (2009) Seismic assessment of masonry arch bridges. Eng Struct 31(8):1777–1778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pelà L, Aprile A, Benedetti A (2013) Comparison of seismic assessment procedures for masonry arch bridges. Constr Build Mater 38:381–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pellegrino C, Zanini MA, Zampieri P, Modena C (2014) Contribution of in situ and laboratory investigations for assessing seismic vulnerability of existing bridges. Struct Infrastruct Eng. doi:10.1080/15732479.2014.938661

    Google Scholar 

  • Resemini S, Lagomarsino S (2004) Sulla vulnerabilità sismica di ponti ad arco in muratura, Proc. 11th Italian Conference on Earthquake Engineering-ANIDIS, L’ingegneria sismica in Italia, 25–29 January 2004, Genova, Italy

  • Rota M, Pecker A, Bolognini D, Pinho R (2005) A methodology for seismic vulnerability of masonry arch bridge walls. J Earthq Eng 9(2):331–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SB-ICA (2007) Guideline for inspection and condition assessment of railway bridges. Prepared by sustainable bridges—a project within EU FP6. (http://www.sustainablebridges.net)

  • Selby RG, Vecchio FJ (1993) Three-dimensional Constitutive Relations for Reinforced Concrete. Technical Report 93-02, University of Toronto, dept. Civil Eng., Canada

  • Vecchio FJ, Collins MP (1986) The modified compression field theory for reinforced concrete elements subjected to shear. ACI J 83(22):219–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Zanini MA, Pellegrino C, Morbin R, Modena C (2013) Seismic vulnerability of bridges in transport networks subjected to environmental deterioration. Bull Earthq Eng 11(2):561–579

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mariano Angelo Zanini.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zampieri, P., Zanini, M.A. & Modena, C. Simplified seismic assessment of multi-span masonry arch bridges. Bull Earthquake Eng 13, 2629–2646 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-015-9733-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-015-9733-2

Keywords

Navigation