Author(s)

A. Tomor

Abstract

Bridges are key elements of the rail and road network and their safe maintenance is of strategic importance. A large proportion of bridge networks are approaching 100 years and maintenance/strengthening are becoming increasingly important issues. Life-cycle management aims to optimise long-term budgets, interventions, traffic, costs, environmental impact, amongst others. While bridges are only designed for up to 120 years, they often require significant interventions within 50 years. Masonry arch bridges have proved to be highly sustainable long-lasting structures with low maintenance needs. While bridge management currently has an approximately 100-year prospective, informed long-term deterioration models and tools are required before a longer-term view can be adapted. Long-term methodology for assessing masonry arch bridges is discussed and deterioration models proposed for fatigue compressive and shear loading based on laboratory tests. Initial results are considered in terms of practical application. Keywords: masonry arch bridges, life-cycle analysis, bridge management, bridge fatigue, SN curves.

Keywords

Keywords: masonry arch bridges, life-cycle analysis, bridge management, bridge fatigue, SN curves.