Behaviour of backfilled masonry arch bridges subjected to cyclic loading

Augusthus Nelson, L; Swift, GM; Smith, C; Gilbert, M; Melbourne, C

Abstract

Experimental research has demonstrated that the interaction between soil fill surrounding
the arch barrel of a masonry arch bridge structure has a significant influence on ultimate
limit state behaviour. However, little work has been carried out to date to examine the
behaviour of soil filled bridges at the permissible limit state, PLS (defined as the state
which, if not exceeded, will ensure the lifespan of the bridge is not measurably reduced
by repeated live loading). Tests on a masonry arch bridge backfilled with crushed
limestone fill material and subjected to 106 cycles of 50kN peak cyclic load amplitude
(approximately one third of the collapse load) indicate that the initial stiffness and
ultimate load carrying capacity of the soil-arch system is not adversely affected by this
level of cyclic loading. However in follow up tests on a similar bridge, the peak cyclic
load amplitude was incrementally increased from 60kN to 100kN (with 105 cycles at
each load level), which was found to cause increasing levels of damage to the arch
barrel, in turn reducing the stiffness of the bridge to applied loads.

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 8th International Conference on Arch Bridges
• Start Date: Oct 5, 2016
• End Date: Oct 7, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 6, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 11, 2016
• Publisher URL: http://www.arch16.pwr.edu.pl/#/general
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference