EVALUATION AND STRENGTHENING OF MASONRY ARCH BRIDGES

Abstract

Main objective while preparing this dissertation was to collect information regarding assessment of strength of masonry arch bridges and current methods of strengthening damaged and undamaged bridges. To fulfil above objective various Methods of analysis of arches have been studied. Step-by-step method of analysiS has been studied in detail by actually analysing the masonry arch for point load at quarter span. From this analys'is it is possible to get position of hinges, their sequence of formation and the behaviour as the loads are increased. The results of this analysis have been verified experimentally by testing brick arch. Various methods of strengthening masonry .arch bridges have been described. Two methods of strengthening of arches have been deeply studied by conducting tests on two models. Load improvement by these methods has been also compared.