Evaluation of Dynamic Characteristics of Masonry Arch Bridges: Linking Full-Scale Experiment and FEM Modeling

Abstract

The paper presents calculated and experimentally determined dynamic characteristics of masonry arch bridges. Two bridges were considered: the road viaduct at Zaborow and the bridge at Kamienica Dolna (South Poland). Finite element models were built considering all parts of the structures: arch, spandrel walls, fill, soil-structure interaction. For verification of calculations in situ investigations of dynamic characteristics of bridges were conducted. As a basic ways of realization of dynamic loads impulse load (drop of a lorry wheels from a threshold) as well as kinematic excitation (train passage under the viaduct) were applied. For determination of natural frequencies power spectral density function and transfer function of measured signals were applied. Basing upon the recorded vibrations the value of logarithmic decrement of damping was evaluated. The results of measured and calculated natural frequencies were compared. With regard to the degree of complexity of structures the differences between experimental and computational results can be accepted.