CENTRIFUGE TESTING OF MODEL MASONRY ARCH BRIDGES

The effect of gravity is fundamental in the behaviour of masonry arch bridges, but previous laboratory testing of scale model arches has ignored its effect. A series of centrifuge tests on scale models constructed using real masonry materials is described - the first model arch bridges to be tested in a correctly scaled gravity field. The test geometry was chosen to enable direct comparison with a previous series of tests on 3 m span arches carried out under laboratory conditions. The failure mechanisms, stiffness and scaled failure loads are compared with those of the prototype tests. The test programme demonstrates that centrifuge modelling is a valuable technique, considerably extending the usefulness of model testing in masonry research. (A)

• Corporate Authors:

  Thomas Telford Limited

  London,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • DAVIES, MCR
  • HUGHES, T G
  • TAUNTON, P R
• Conference:
  • PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
• Publication Date: 1998-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 141-5
• Serial:
  • Volume: 131
  • Issue Number: 3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arch bridges; Centrifugal force; Failure; Gravity; Masonry construction; Scale models; Stiffness; Structural models; Tests; Weighing devices
• Uncontrolled Terms: Scale
• ITRD Terms: 3427: Arch bridge; 5404: Centrifugal force; 5520: Failure; 5419: Gravity; 4529: Masonry; 6205: Model (not math); 6204: Scale; 5931: Stiffness; 6255: Test
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00753066
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 28 1998 12:00AM