THE BRITTLE HINGE IN MASONRY ARCH MECHANISMS

Abstract

Hinge formation in the presence of local crushing is studied in the context of limit state masonry arch mechanisms. Empirical constitutive modelling is developed to produce a range of corresponding axial force/bending moment interaction diagrams appertaining to rectangular masonry sections subject to singly- eccentric compressive normal loading, and these archetypal design charts are assessed against experimental data. It is considered that masonry hinges are of distinctly brittle form, rotation becoming significant only as hinge resistance decays. Preliminary arch bridge case-studies serve to encourage confidence in the brittle hinge model, and serviceability factors are also considered. (A)