Detailed FEM Modelling of Stone Masonry Arch Bridges Under Road Traffic Moving Loads

Abstract eng:
This paper aims at identifying suitable approaches for the numerical modelling of stone masonry arch bridges with the purpose of estimating the traffic effects by means of moving loads and taking in account the surface roughness of the pavement. For this purpose two ancient stone masonry arch bridges located near Porto are addressed. The bridge numerical analyses are performed based on detailed finite element models. Suitable nonlinear constitutive models are considered for the joints elements, while the Drucker Prager model is adopted for the infill. The interaction between the wheel and the pavement is considered through a simplified methodology comprising three phases of analysis where the bridge and the vehicle are studied separately. The bridge response shows that the activation of the material nonlinear behaviour has significant influence on the bridge effects (increase), however comparing the results with irregularities and without less influence is shown.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket