This document presents a method for assessing the load capacity of existing masonry arch bridges using nonlinear fiber beam elements. It describes modeling arches with this approach in the software OpenSees and applying it to a case study bridge in Italy called the Cavone Bridge. The modeling process involves defining nodes, fiber beam elements, materials, boundary conditions, loads, and recorders to run an analysis. Pushover curves are generated to evaluate the bridge's ultimate capacity. The proposed method provides a preliminary capacity estimate using accepted analysis techniques to help assess and preserve historic masonry arch bridges.

1. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
OPENSEES DAYS EUROPE
FIRST EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON OPENSEES
19-20 JUNE 2017
PORTO, PORTUGAL
MODELLING WITH FIBRE BEAM ELEMENTS FOR
LOAD CAPACITY ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING
MASONRY ARCH BRIDGES

2. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this work is to propose a preliminary
approach for the assessment of the ultimate capacity of
multi-span masonry arch bridge.
Non linear beam elements with fiber section approach has
been adopted for modelling the arches
An application to a case study “Cavone Bridge”: an
Italian old masonry arch bridge

3. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
Masonry arch bridges represent an invaluable
architectural and cultural heritage and often
assume an important strategic role.
One of the actual engineering challenge is the
conservation of old masonry arch bridges built
in the last centuries.
Railway arch bridge
Pedestrian arch bridge
Road arch bridge
Railway arch bridge
Introduction

4. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
Most of them nowadays are located along important roads
characterized by transit loads heavier and more frequent than
the ones of past.
Masonry arch bridges were designed without considering
any lateral force and, consequently, to date they result very
vulnerable in areas with high earthquake intensity zones.
Very often, the materials is deteriorate due to the cyclic
vertical loads and weathering conditions.
Critical issues

5. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
Methods of load carrying capacity assessment
METHODS FOR THE
STRUCTURAL ANALISYS
MATHEMATICAL
MODEL
PHYSICAL
MODEL
THEORETICAL
BASES
LABORATORY ON-
SITE TESTS
ANALYTIC
METHODS
EMPIRICAL
METHODS
Mechanism
Method (Ring)
Finite Element
Method
Thrust Line Analysis
(Archie-M)
Elasto-Plastic Model

6. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
Case study: Cavone Bridge
Main arch Secondary arch
The bridge has four secondary arches of 10 m span
length, and three main arches of 22 m span length.
The three main arches are supported by two piers
falling into the riverbed, with a total height from the
foundation plane of about 24 m, of which 14 m are
outside the riverbed.
Multi span masonry arch bridge with an overall length
of 140 m and a width of 5.6 m.

7. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
7
i. Define ndm & ndf
ii. Define nodes
iii. Define elements(s)
iv. Define material(s)
v. Define boundary
conditions
i. Define matrix
transormation
i. Apply load
ii. Define recorders
iii. Define analysis
iv. objects
v. Run the analysis
Numerical model of the arches: steps to be followed

8. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
8
Numerical model
fiber beam section
Constitutive model for C-FRP
δ
Segmental arch structure
Fiber beam sectionConstitutive model for masonry
P
S = KpPFtanα

9. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
Mainarch
Pushover curves

10. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli

11. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
Conclusions
 An approach for a preliminary estimate of the load-carrying capacity of masonry
arch bridges has been presented and applied to an ancient italian masonry arch
bridge.
 One of the advantages of the proposed approach is that it makes use of available
general-purpose engineering software, having recourse to analysis methods
accepted and widely used in other fields of structural engineering and consistent
with the philosophy of modern design and assessment codes.
 In conclusion, the paper makes a contribution towards the development of analysis
tools for assessing and preserving existing masonry arch bridge.

12. Michelangelo Laterza, Michele D’Amato, Vito Michele Casamassima, Michele Signorelli
Thank you …