Modeling of the formwork removal of a rubble stone masonry bridge
Project Description
- Determine the mechanical behavior of a stone arch bridge during the phase of the formwork removal.
- Reproduce as closely as possible the behavior observed on site and dependent on the behavior of the blocks and their interactions.
- Use discrete block modeling, first in 2D (plane deformations) and then in 3D.
Work carried out within the framework of the research project C2D2 10 MGC S 01 named PEDRA and financed by the Ministry of Ecology (MEDDEM) and the "Réseau Génie Civil et Urbain" (RGCU).
![](https://itasca-int.objects.frb.io/assets/offices/france/Consulting/Cut-sheets/33921_F1.png)
Itasca's Role
- Participate in the development of discrete numerical models by co-supervising ECL and ENTPE students.
- Benefit from our experience in simplifying the problem: symmetry and boundary conditions, geometry and mesh size, application of stresses.
- Improve models until on-site observations are replicated and understood.
![](https://itasca-int.objects.frb.io/assets/offices/france/Consulting/Cut-sheets/33921_F2_eng.png)
Project Results
- Discrete approach adapted to the understanding of the physical phenomena involved during the phase of the formwork removal.
- Reduced contact area between the vault blocks (creation of an opening) and width of the extended abutment from a mechanical point of view: excellent qualitative results and very good quantitative results.
- Sufficient 2D model for the phase of the formwork removal.
- 3D model required to simulate the behavior of the bridge subjected to other types of loads (point or cyclic traffic loads).
![](https://itasca-int.objects.frb.io/assets/offices/france/Consulting/Cut-sheets/33921_F3_eng.png)
References
Tran, V.H., E. Vincens, J.C. Morel, F. Dedecker and HH. Le. “2D-DEM modelling of the formwork removal of a rubble stone masonry bridge,” Engineering Structures, 75, pp. 448-456 (2014).