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).
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.
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).
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).
