NONLINEAR MODELLING OF A MULTI-SPAN ARCH BRIDGE UNDER SERVICE LOAD CONDITIONS

The response of a 19th-century multi-span masonry arch bridge, Queen's Bridge in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was studied using a three-dimensional non-linear finite element model under service load conditions. The full five-span bridge, with spandrel walls, fill material and surrounding soil is modelled. The interface between the masonry and the fill is characterised as a frictional contact surface to facilitate sliding or movement of the fill material relative to the arch barrel and the spandrel walls without generating tensile stresses. Physical tests are simulated by modelling passage of the test truck over the bridge model in a series of sequential static loadsteps. The numerical predictions, for crown and abutment deflections, are compared with experimental data and sensitivity analyses are performed by varying both the geometric and material properties of the bridge. While demonstrating the ability of modern analyses techniques in replicating the response of such complex bridge systems the paper also highlights some of the difficulties often encountered in modelling the response of masonry arch bridges; for example the lack of original construction drawings, incomplete knowledge of the geometric and material constituents, and the lack of detail relating to modifications undertaken after construction. For the covering abstract see ITRD E122906.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0947644539
• Corporate Authors:

  ENGINEERING TECHNICS PRESS

  46 CLUNY GARDENS
  EDINBURGH,   United Kingdom  EH10 6BN
• Authors:
  • FANNING, P J
  • SALOMONI, V A
  • SLOAN, D T
• Publication Date: 2003

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 9 p.
• Serial:
  • PROCEEDINGS OF THE 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION - STRUCTURAL FAULTS AND REPAIR CONFERENCE 2003, HELD LONDON, JULY 2003 - CD ROM
  • Publisher: ENGINEERING TECHNICS PRESS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analog simulation; Arch bridges; Conferences; Construction; Deflection; Finite element method; Forecasting; Interfaces; Measurement; Test procedures; Till
• ITRD Terms: 6453: Analog model; 3427: Arch bridge; 4198: Boulder clay; 8525: Conference; 3655: Construction; 5586: Deflection; 6490: Finite element method; 132: Forecast; 5429: Interface; 6136: Measurement; 6288: Test method
• Subject Areas: Construction;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00982873
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-947644-53-9
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 2 2004 12:00AM