In this work, we present a fast and reliable NURBS-based kinematic approach for the evaluation of the settlements-response of masonry arch bridges. This method is based on a discretization of the arch through NURBS rigid blocks. Here, the use of NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) approximating functions allows composing mesh through very few elements maintaining the exact representation of the three-dimensional curved shape. The main non-linear properties of masonry (almost null tensile strength, high crushing resistance, and frictional behavior in shear) are assigned at interfaces, which represent possible hinges between the curved macro-blocks. Starting from a known displacement applied at the external boundaries, a simple linear programming problem can be written to determine the discontinuous displacement field. Then, a meta-heuristic mesh-adaptation procedure is applied to exclude mesh dependency effects. The initial mesh is adjusted by modifying the shape of macro-blocks until interfaces coincide with the correct position of cracks. The settlement-response is so obtained.

Fast Adaptive Limit Analysis of Masonry Arch Bridges in Presence of Differential Settlements of Bridge Piles

Grillanda N.;Scacco J.;Milani G.
2022-01-01

Abstract

In this work, we present a fast and reliable NURBS-based kinematic approach for the evaluation of the settlements-response of masonry arch bridges. This method is based on a discretization of the arch through NURBS rigid blocks. Here, the use of NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) approximating functions allows composing mesh through very few elements maintaining the exact representation of the three-dimensional curved shape. The main non-linear properties of masonry (almost null tensile strength, high crushing resistance, and frictional behavior in shear) are assigned at interfaces, which represent possible hinges between the curved macro-blocks. Starting from a known displacement applied at the external boundaries, a simple linear programming problem can be written to determine the discontinuous displacement field. Then, a meta-heuristic mesh-adaptation procedure is applied to exclude mesh dependency effects. The initial mesh is adjusted by modifying the shape of macro-blocks until interfaces coincide with the correct position of cracks. The settlement-response is so obtained.
2022
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
978-3-030-91876-7
978-3-030-91877-4
Adaptive limit analysis
Masonry arch bridges
NURBS
Settlement
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2022_EUROSTRUCT2021_1.pdf

Accesso riservato

: Publisher’s version
Dimensione 10.7 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
10.7 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/1227097
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact