• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.419-439
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• 2014

In this study, the structural performance of a seven span masonry arch bridge was evaluated. Investigations were performed on Aspendos (Belkis) Masonry Arch Bridge which was located on road of Aspendos Acropolis City in Antalya, Turkey. The old bridge was constructed in the early of fourth century AD, but it was exposed to the earthquakes in this region and the overloading by the river water. The old bridge was severely damaged and collapsed by probably an earthquake many years ago and a new bridge was then reconstructed on the remains of this old bridge by Seljuk in the 13th century. The bridge has also been affected from overflowing especially in the spring of each year, so some protective measures should be taken for this monumental bridge. Therefore, the structural performance under these loading has to be known. For this purpose, an initial finite element model was developed for the bridge and it was calibrated according to ambient vibration test results. After that, it was analyzed for different load cases such as dead, live, earthquake and overflow. Three load combinations were taken into account by deriving from these load cases. The displacements and the stresses for these combination cases were attained and compared with each other. The structural performance of Aspendos Masonry Arch Bridge was determined by considering the demand-capacity ratio for the tensile stress of the mortar used in Aspendos Masonry Arch Bridge. After these investigations, some concluding remarks and offers were presented at the end of this study.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.483-494
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• 2016

Historical structures that function as a bridge from past to present are the cultural and social reflections of societies. Masonry bridges are one of the important historical structures. These bridges are vulnerable against to seismic action. In this study, linear and non-linear dynamic analyses of historical Nadir Bridge are assessed. The bridge is modelled with three dimensional finite elements. For the seismic effect, artificial acceleration records are generated considering the seismic characteristics of the region where the bridge is located. Seismic response of the bridge is investigated.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1387-1406
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• 2015

Masonry bridges are the vital components of transportation systems. Although these bridges were constructed centuries ago, they have served a purpose from ancient times to the present day. However, the bridges have needed local renovation and therefore have been rebuilt over different periods in many places. This study focuses on Low Bridge, which is an example of renovated masonry bridges in Turkey. It essentially assesses the structural behavior of the masonry bridge and investigates the integrity of the renovated components. For this purpose, the mechanical properties of the bridge material have been primarily evaluated with experimental tests. Then the static, modal and nonlinear time history analyses have been carried out with the use of finite element methods in order to investigate the structural behavior of the current form of the bridge.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.703-718
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• 2016

Masonry arch bridges present a large segment of Iranian railway bridge stock. The ever increasing trend in traffic requires constant health monitoring of such structures to determine their load carrying capacity and life expectancy. In this respect, the performance of one of the oldest masonry arch bridges of Iranian railway network is assessed through field tests. Having a total of 11 sensors mounted on the bridge, dynamic tests are carried out on the bridge to study the response of bridge to test train, which is consist of two 6-axle locomotives and two 4-axle freight wagons. Finite element model of the bridge is developed and calibrated by comparing experimental and analytical mid-span deflection, and verified by comparing experimental and analytical natural frequencies. Analytical model is then used to assess the possibility of increasing the allowable axle load of the bridge to 25 tons. Fatigue life expectancy of the bridge is also assessed in permissible limit state. Results of F.E. model suggest an adequacy factor of 3.57 for an axle load of 25 tons. Remaining fatigue life of Veresk is also calculated and shown that a 0.2% decrease will be experienced, if the axle load is increased from 20 tons to 25 tons.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.31-52
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• 2022

Investigating and evaluating the long-term creep behavior of historical buildings built on seismic zones is of great importance in terms of transferring these structures to future generations. Furthermore, assessing the earthquake behavior of historical structures such as masonry stone bridges is very important for the future and seismic safety of these structures. For this reason, in this study, earthquake analyses of a masonry stone bridge are carried out considering strong ground motions and various water levels. Tokatli masonry stone arch bridge that was built in the 10th century in Turkey-Karabük is selected for three-dimensional (3D) finite difference analyses and this bridge is modeled using FLAC3D software based on the three-dimensional finite difference method. Firstly, each stone element of the bridge is modeled separately and special stiffness parameters are defined between each stone element. Thanks to these parameters, the interaction conditions between each stone element are provided. Then, the Burger-Creep and Drucker-Prager material models are defined to arch material, rockfill material for evaluating the creep and seismic failure behaviors of the bridge. Besides, the boundaries of the 3D model of the bridge are modeled by considering the free-field and quiet boundary conditions, which were not considered in the past for the seismic behavior of masonry bridges. The bridge is analyzed for 6 different water levels and these water levels are 0 m, 30 m, 60 m, 70 m, 80 m, and 90 m, respectively. A total of 10 different seismic analyzes are performed and according to the seismic analysis results, it is concluded that historical stone bridges exhibit different seismic behaviors under different water levels. Moreover, it is openly seen that the water level is of great importance in terms of earthquake safety of historical stone bridges built in earthquake zones. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to consider the water levels while strengthening and analyzing the historical stone bridges.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.101-139
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• 2015

In this paper, it is aimed to investigate the restoration effect on the structural behavior of masonry arch bridges. Dandalaz masonry arch bridge located on the 4km east of Karacasu town of Aydin, Turkey is selected as a numerical example. The construction year of the bridge is not fully known, but the bridge is dated back to 15th century. Considering the current situation, it can be easily seen that the structural elements such as arch, side walls and timber blocks are heavily damaged and the bridge is unserviceable. Firstly finite element model of the bridge is constituted to reflect the current situation (before restoration) using building survey drawings. After, restoration project is explained and finite element model is reconstituted (after restoration). The structural responses of the bridge are obtained before and after restoration under dead load, live load and dynamic earthquake loads. For both conditions, maximum displacements, maximum-minimum principal stresses and maximum-minimum elastic strains are given with detail using contours diagrams and compared with each other to determine the restoration effect. From the study, it can be seen that the maximum internal forces are consisted under dynamic loads before and after restoration. Also, the restoration projects and studies have important and positive effects on the structural response of the bridge to transfer these structures to future.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.83-96
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• 2020

The main structural elements of historical masonry arch bridges are arches, spandrel walls, piers and foundations. The most vulnerable structural elements of masonry arch bridges under transverse seismic loads, particularly in the case of out-of-plane actions, are spandrel wall. The vulnerability of spandrel walls under transverse loads increases with the increasing of their length and height. This paper computationally investigates the out-of-plane nonlinear seismic response of spandrel walls of long-span and high masonry stone arch bridges. The Malabadi Bridge with a main arch span of 40.86m and rise of 23.45m built in 1147 in Diyarbakır, Turkey, is selected as an example. The Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) material model adjusted to masonry structures, and cohesive interface interaction between the infill and the spandrel walls and the arch are considered in the 3D finite element model of the selected bridge. Firstly, mode shapes with and without cohesive interfaces are evaluated, and then out-of-plane seismic failure responses of the spandrel walls with and without the cohesive interfaces are determined and compared with respect to the displacements, strains and stresses.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2021

Composite nature of the masonry structures in general causes complex and non-linear behaviour, especially in intense vibration conditions. The presence of different types and forms of structural elements and different materials is a major problem for the analysis of these type of structures. For this reason, the analysis of the behaviour of masonry structures requires a combination of experimental tests and non-linear mathematical modelling. The famous UNESCO Heritage Old Bridge in Mostar was selected as an example for the analysis of the global behaviour of reinforced stone arch masonry bridges. As part of the experimental research, a model of the Old Bridge was constructed in a scale of 1:9 and tested on a shaking table platform for different levels of seismic excitation. Non-linear mathematical modelling was performed using a combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), including the effect of connection elements. The paper presents the horizontal displacement of the top of the arch and the failure mechanism of the Old Bridge model for the experimental and the numerical phase, as well as the comparison of the results. This research provided a clearer insight into the global behaviour of stone arch masonry structures reinforced with steel clamps and steel dowels, which is significant for the structures classified as world cultural heritage.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.1
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• pp.103-121
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• 2024

The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is a numerical technique used in dynamic analysis to simulate the fluid-like behavior of materials under extreme conditions, such as those encountered in explosions or high velocity impacts. In SPH, fluid or solid materials are discretized into particles. These particles interact with each other based on certain smoothing kernels, allowing the simulation of fluid flows and predict the response of solid materials to shock waves, like deformation, cracking or failure. One of the main advantages of SPH is its ability to simulate these phenomena without a fixed grid, making it particularly suitable for analyzing complex geometries. In this study, the structural damage to a masonry arch bridge subjected to blast loading was investigated. A high-fidelity micro-model was created and the explosives were modeled using the SPH approach. The Johnson-Holmquist II damage model and the Mohr-Coulomb material model were considered to evaluate the masonry and backfill properties. Consistent with the principles of the JH-II model, the authors developed a VUMAT code. The explosive charges (50 kg, 168 kg, 425 kg and 1000 kg) were placed in close proximity to the deck and pier of a bridge. The results showed that the 50 kg charges, which could have been placed near the pier by a terrorist, had only a limited effect on the piers. Instead, this charge caused a vertical displacement of the deck due to the confinement effect. Conversely, a 1000 kg TNT charge placed 100 cm above the deck caused significant damage to the bridge.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.645-667
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• 2016

The 750 m long "De Bosset" bridge in the Cephalonia Island of Western Greece, being the area with the highest seismicity in Europe, was constructed in 1830 by successive stone arches and stiff block-type piers. The bridge suffered extensive damages during past earthquakes, such as the strong M7.2 earthquake of 1953, followed by poorly-designed reconstruction schemes with reinforced concrete. In 2005, a multidisciplinary project for the seismic assessment and restoration of the "De Bosset" bridge was undertaken under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture. The proposed retrofitting scheme combining soil improvement, structural strengthening and reconstruction of the deteriorated masonry sections was recently applied on site. Design of the rehabilitation measures and assessment of the pre- and post-interventions seismic response of the bridge were based on detailed in-situ and laboratory tests, providing foundation soil and structural material properties. In-situ inspection of the rehabilitated bridge following the strong M6.1 and M6.0 Cephalonia earthquakes of January 26th and February 3rd 2014, respectively, revealed no damages or visible defects. The efficiency of the bridge retrofitting is also proved by a preliminary performance analysis of the bridge under the recorded ground motion induced by the above earthquakes.