Arch bridges : history, analysis, assessment, maintenance and repair : proceedings of the Second International Arch Bridge Conference, Venice, Italy, 6-9 October 1998

Modern structural engineering surprises us with the mastery and certainty with which it plans and carries out daring projects, such as the most recent metal or concrete bridges, whether they be suspension or arch bridges. On the other hand, little is yet known about the state of knowledge of construction science and techniques which, well before the arrival of modern methods based on the mechanics of deformable continua, made it possible in the past to erect the vaulted masonry structures rthat we have inherited. The fact that these have lasted through many centuries to our time, and are still in a fairly good state of conservation, makes them competitive, as far as stability and durability are concerned, with those constructed in other materials. Although it is known that the equilibrium of the arch is guaranteed by any funicular whatsoever of the loads, contained inside the profile of an arch, finding the unique solution is not such a certainty. In other words, the problem of the equilibrium of vaulted structures is 'Poleni's problem', the one for which the Venetian scientist was able to give an exemplary solution on the occasion of the assessment of the dome of St. Peter's. Arch Bridges focuses on the main aspects of the debate about the masonry arch bridge: History of structural mechanics and construction, theoretical models, analysis for assessment, numerical methods, experimental and non-destructive testing, maintenance and repair are the topics of the Conference. The breadth and variety of the contributions presented and discussed by leading experts from many countries make this volume an authoritative source of up-to-date information. Table of contents Preface History of structural mechanics 1850-1880: Bridge-building and modern structural mechanics • Edoardo Benvenuto The relationship between the Gothic model and the conception of bridges • Anne Coste Empirical methods for the construction of masonry arch bridges in the 19th century • Massimo Corradi Arch and vault from 1800 to 1864 • Karl-Eugen Kurrer & Andreas Kahlow History of construction Conceptional design of Renaissance arch bridges • Holger Falter & Annette Bögle Brick bridges and historical transportation systems • Manish ChalaIla Construction knowledge between the 18th and the 19th century applied to arched masonry systems in Venice • Gianna Riva & Patrizia Valle M. Lévy versus lde La Gournerie: A debate about skew bridges • Antonio Becchi The masonry bridges and viaducts of the first Piedmontese railway, 1845-1853 • LucianoRe The experimental approach in the evolution of construction systems: The contribution of the Porcheddu company of Thrin to the refinement of the Hennebique system for the construction of arch bridges • Angiola Maria Sassi Perino & Giorgio Faraggiana Equilibrium and limit analysis The assessment of strength of masonry arches • Jacques Heyman Lower and upper bound theorems for masonry arches as rigid systems with unilateral contacts • Anna Sinopoli, Massimo Corradi & Federico Face On the analysis of multi-ring brickwork arch bridges • Matthew Gilbert On the definition of the geometrical safety factor of masonry arches • A. De Rubeis The mechanism model in the seismic check of stone arches • P. Clemente & A. Raithel Theoretical models and analysis Minimum and maximum thrust states in Statics of ancient masonry bridges • Mario Como An upper bound analysis for the strength assessment of masonry arch bridges • A. F. Ashour & S. W. Garrity A contact mechanical approach to the theory of the elastic voussoir arch • H. Parland & A. Miettinen Hardening and shakedown of masonry arch joints • B. T. Rosson & T. E. Boothby On the use of Somigliana dislocations applied to masonry arches • Ingrid Feietti & Marta Rapallini Numerical methods Jor strength assessment Finite/discrete element models for assessment and repair of masonry structures • D. R. J. Owen, D. Peric, N. Petrinic, C. L. Brookes & P. J. James Distinct element analysis of stone arches • G. Mirabella Roberti & F. Calvetti FE modelling of the dynamic response of Kimbolton Butts bridge • A. Bensalem, H. Ali-Ahmed, C. A. Fairfield & A. Sibbald Numerical simulation of experiments in arch bridges • P. Roca, C. Molins, T. G. Hughes & C. Sicilia Interactive assessment of masonry arch bridges • A. Kumar Load capacity of multi-arch masonry bridges • C. Molins & P. Roca Safety evaluation and retrofitting of an arch r.c. bridge • C. Modena & D. Sonda An approach to the structural model for masonry arch bridges: Pont Saint Martin as a case study • G. Frunzio & M. Monaco Non-destructive testing Tomography for NDT applied to masonry structures: Sonic and/or EM methods • S. Valle, L. Zanzi, L. Binda, A. Saisi & G. Lenzi Radar testing of masonry arch bridges with soil backfill • C. Colla, D. M. McCann & M. C. Forde The behaviour of open spandrel brickwork arch bridges • C. Melbourne & H. Tao NDT as a tool for detection of gradual safety factor deterioration in loaded arches • A. Bensalem, H. Ali-Ahmed, C. A. Fairfield & A. Sibbald Dynamics and experimental testing Effects of vehicle impact loading on masonry arch parapets • B. Hobbs, M. Gilbert & T. Molyneaux The collapse behaviour of a multi-span skewed brickwork arch bridge • Clive Melbourne Dynamic testing of masonry arch bridges • J. W. Bintrim, J. A. Laman & T. E. Boothby Restoration of a two arches masonry bridge: Experimental testing and mechanical behaviour • Antonello Salvatori Special problems and new design Some notes on system behaviour in arch bridges • W. J. Harvey, F. W. Smith & R. Barthel The influence of soil and masonry type on the strength of masonry arch bridges • T. G. Hughes, M. C. R. Davies & P. R.Taunton Mass concrete arches • C. Melbourne & S. K. Njumbe Conservation and maintenance A Roman viaduct-bridge in Campania: History, structure and maintenance • Alessandro Baratta & Teresa Colletta Construction conception and structural conservation of masonry arch bridges • M. Bellomo & S. D’Agostino Damages of existing stone bridges in Greece • M. Karaveziroglou-Weber, E. Karayianni & E. Stavrakakis The Venice-Mestre masonry road bridge: Checking durability of maintenance operations • G. Riva & F. Russo Stone bridges and historic American landscapes • Cecilia J. Rusnak & Thomas E. Boothby Repair and strengthening Widening and strengthening of London’s Kingston Bridge • T. N. Healey & J. H. W. Counsell Set up of restoration methodologies for cast iron bridges in Venice • F. Bonollo, C. Modena, A. Tiziani & M. R. Valluzzi Repair and strengthening of five full scale masonry arch bridges • S. K. Sumon Strengthening masonry arch bridges through backfill replacement by concrete • G. Fauchoux & C. Abdunur Repair of the old stone bridge of Krania in Greeee • M. Karaveziroglou-Weber, E. Stavrakakis, E. Belissari, M . Eftaxia & C. Panousi Supplement Thermal effects on a masonry arch bridge investigated using ABAQUS • J. I. Robinson, D. J. Prentice & D. Ponniah Author index

This text focuses on the main aspects of the debate about the masonry arch bridge. Using information from the 2nd International Conference, held in Venice, the book gives information on the history of structural mechanics and construction; theoretical models; and maintenance and repair.