Mechanism analysis of single span masonry arch bridges using a spreadsheet

Abstract

This paper contains details of the application of a sophisticated mechanism analysis to single span segmental masonry arch bridges using a standard spreadsheet. The method characterises the failure load directly in relation to the load and hinge positions and then uses the standard optimisation package within the spreadsheet to find their optimum locations. The analysis includes the ability to model yielding at the hinges, the passive resistance of the soil, multi-axles and, to a limited extent, the effect of large deformations. An example application is given and the results are compared to recent experiments.