Pragmatic multi-scale and multi-physics analysis of Charles Bridge in Prague

Abstract

Charles Bridge in Prague is one of the most famous monuments of the European architectural heritage. As typical of complex historical structures, a realistic quantitative computational assessment of the bridge response should address multi-physics, multi-scale, time-dependent and three-dimensional aspects of the problem. In this paper, an example of such a study is reported. To keep the model complexity manageable, the analysis is executed in a fully-uncoupled format, where the outputs of individual simplified sub-problems concerning mainly transport phenomena serve as inputs for the dominant part: detailed non-linear three-dimensional and mechanicsoriented simulations of selected bridge segments. The obtained results not only provide the basis for reconstruction works currently in progress, but also demonstrate the applicability and limitations of multi-scale and multi-physics paradigms when faced with complex practical engineering problems.

Remedial Works and Repairs of Historical Bridge in Prague

“…The non-linear behaviour of the structure is also the answer to question how the bridge withstands cyclic loading by extreme temperatures. Detailed non-linear analysis proved the above statements (Zeman et al 2008). The analysis also determined the allowable loading of the bridge by moving load of weight 320 tons for 0.5 m distance of the vehicle from the masonry railing.…”

“…The flexural rigidity is increased by parapet walls and filling masonry. The cracking in the structure started at first volumetric changes caused by temperature -primarily in the mortar in joints and later in stone blocks (Zeman et al 2008). Cracking of the structure is typical behaviour considering high structural stiffness.…”

Augustus Bridge in Narni (Italy): Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of the Still Standing Part, Possible Causes of Collapse, and Importance of the Roman Concrete Infill in the Seismic-Resistant Behavior

“…The lowering of about 2.9 meters of the dosseret block of pier II, according to Cecchi (2003), is due to the foundation settlement of the pier itself occurred during two thousand years. At present, a large amount of technical literature dealing with the historical/structural analysis of masonry arch bridges and masonry arches in general is at disposal, as Oliveira et al (2010), Cavicchi & Gambarotta (2005), Cavicchi & Gambarotta (2006), Reccia et al (2014), Milani & Lourenço (2012), Audenaert & Beke (2010), , Martín-Caro & Morales (2007), Pelà et al (2009), Pippard (1948), Gilbert & Melbourne (1994), Gilbert (2006), De Felice & De Santis (2010), Audenaert et al (2008), Drosopoulos et al (2006), and Zeman et al (2008). Sometimes, to be practically more efficient, such literature simplifies either the real 3D geometry to 1D/2D problems or uses inadequate material models.…”

Full 3D homogenization approach to investigate the behavior of masonry arch bridges: The Venice trans-lagoon railway bridge

“…To have a prediction on displacements in the non-linear range, non-linear FE approaches (ranging from 1D up to full 3D) have thus been used in the recent past [8,[22][23][24]. For complex geometries, FEs models generally require many elements and variables, making the solution of the incremental problem difficult even for small bridges.…”