MODEL TESTS ON MASONRY ARCHES

Abstract

This Paper gives an account of a series of tests on 24 model arch bridges with spans of 1.0, 2.08 and 2.48 m. The object of the tests was to examine the general behaviour of these structures, which had span to rise ratios between 2.0 and 6.4, and, in particular, to establish the effect on the strength of the arch of the fill and the spandrel and wing-wall masonry. A secondary objective was to explore the potential value of the acoustic emission technique in assessing the response of a masonry arch to applied loads. It was found that the effect of the spandrel and wing-wall masonry depended on the span to rise ratio. The effect is greatest for semicircular arches, and increases considerably the strength of the vault. The acoustic emission observation reflected the load-deflexion behaviour of the models in the majority of cases and would appear promising in relation to the practical assessment of masonry bridges. Some limited comparisons are made with the results of tests on full-scale bridges and with a proposed method of analysis. (A)