ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PLAKA BRIDGE COLLAPSE USING NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS PREVENTABLE OR DOOMED?

Abstract eng:
The collapse of the historic Plaka Stone Bridge due to extreme flooding and in particular the pinpointing of the causes or possibly weak structural points that led to the structural failure is studied using high fidelity, three-dimensional non-linear numerical analysis and sensitivity studies. Specifically, the potential of a number of postulated scenarios in initiating failure and leading to the eventual collapse of the bridge are explored aided by sensitivity analyses relying on non-linear finite element modelling and is augmented by actual material properties of the structural elements deduced from laboratory tests following the collapse (i.e. stone and mortar). Presented in detail is the scenario which appears to closely replicate the mode of actual bridge failure observed (damage extend and debris distribution) and deemed by the authors to be most likely sequence of events that occurred. This scenario postulates the undermining of the central pier by support or shear section failure leading to large deformation and displacements on the lower part of the pier eventually leading to shear failure of the primary arch. Based on the failure mode predicted by simulation and corroborated with observed damage the vulnerability of the Plaka Bridge to this “beyond design basis event” even for an uncompromised structure is assessed by asking the question whether any preventive maintenance and upkeep could have saved this particular bridge or that its collapse was beyond human intervention.

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