Validation of the Nonlinear Numerical Model of a Stone Masonry Bridge Under Railway Traffic

This paper presents the validation of a nonlinear finite element numerical model of a multi-span stone arch railway bridge based on experimental tests and under inservice freight trains.Static loading tests allow evaluating the bridge response in terms of vertical displacements in the arches and opening/closure deformations on specific block joints of the arches while dynamic tests involved measuring accelerations in the bridge deck.The nonlinear bridge finite element model is developed by combining the potentialities of a global continuous model, based on Drucker-Prager model, and a local modelling approach based on a dedicated contact model.This contact model allows reproducing the behaviour of the joints between the masonry blocks, including the cracking patterns identified in some arches derived from an inspection campaign.The dynamic analyses are based on advanced train-bridge dynamic interaction model, including the measured track irregularities.All the numerical responses are in very good agreement with the experimental responses.