Numerical investigation of a medieval masonry arch bridge based on a discrete macro-element modeling approach

Abstract

Since ancient times masonry arch bridges have been used to cross natural obstacles. Many examples are still present and under service, particularly in European countries. Due to the historical and cultural value of these bridges, together with their important role in the transportation network system, it is necessary to have numerical tools suitable for an accurate structural assessment of their conditions, both under vertical and horizontal loading, including extreme events. In this study, the structural assessment of Barcelos Bridge, a medieval stone masonry arch bridge in northern Portugal, was carried out comparing two different numerical approaches: the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Discrete Macro-Element Method (DMEM). In previous studies, the FEM Diana software has already demonstrated its validity in the structural assessment of this bridge, but the computational costs and the time required for the analysis are hardly compatible with the usual professional practice outside the research activity. As a matter of fact, the importance of precise yet simple assessment methods is well established today, since they provide useful means to the professionals who perform the structural analysis of this type of bridges. Pushdown and pushover analysis were performed to assess the structural performance of the bridge under vertical and horizontal loads.