Performance and robustness assessment of roadway masonry arch bridges to scour-induced damage using multiple traffic load models

Prateek Kumar Dhir, Daniele Losanno, Enrico Tubaldi, Fulvio Parisi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Masonry arch bridges are highly vulnerable to floods and particularly to scour, as demonstrated by the many collapses that regularly occur in Europe. Scour levels that do not directly cause the collapse of a bridge may result in a significant reduction of their capability to withstand traffic loading. Thus, research on the performance of masonry arch bridges under combined scour and traffic loading, and their structural robustness, is of paramount importance. This study evaluates the behaviour of masonry arch bridges subjected to scour and traffic loading by analysing a representative case study with a three-dimensional finite element model developed in Abaqus according to a macro-modelling approach. Traffic load is selected in accordance with different code-based models, including those provided by Italian guidelines for safety assessment of existing bridges. The scouring process is imposed through the progressive removal of elements at the foundation level. Displacements and internal stress distributions for different bridge components are recorded and the capacity of the masonry bridge is estimated under increasing traffic load for different scour levels. Results are obtained in terms of both local and global response parameters to provide useful information on threshold levels for bridge safety and monitoring. The sensitivity of the bridge structural performance to material properties and traffic load position is also assessed. The study results can be useful to inform the decisions to be taken by bridge stakeholders (e.g. close bridge, limit traffic, keep bridge open) based on scour and/or structural response measurements.
Original languageEnglish
Article number119441
Number of pages17
JournalEngineering Structures
Volume325
Early online date10 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2025

Funding

This study was carried out in the framework of RESIST project “RobustnEss aSsessment and retrofItting of bridgeS to prevenT progressive collapse under multiple hazards”, which is funded by University of Naples Federico II and Compagnia di San Paolo through STAR Plus Programme 2020. Dr. Tubaldi gratefully acknowledges funding from the EPSRC-funded Innovation Launchpad Network+ (ILN+) Researcher in Residence (RiR) project "Improved models for the impact of floods on transport infrastructure assets" at Connected Places Catapult, London, UK (RIR23230615-8).

Keywords

  • masonry arch bridges
  • scour
  • traffic loading
  • robustness
  • finite element macro-modelling

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