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

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

Authors

Daniele Losanno

Enrico Tubaldi

Fulvio Parisi



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.

Citation

Dhir, P. K., Losanno, D., Tubaldi, E., & Parisi, F. (2025). Performance and robustness assessment of roadway masonry arch bridges to scour-induced damage using multiple traffic load models. Engineering Structures, 325, Article 119441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.119441

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 2, 2024
Online Publication Date Dec 10, 2024
Publication Date Feb 15, 2025
Deposit Date Feb 25, 2025
Journal Engineering Structures
Print ISSN 0141-0296
Electronic ISSN 1873-7323
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 325
Article Number 119441
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.119441
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3530292