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

Some different procedures for the evaluation of the non-linear behavior of masonry arch bridges are here proposed. In particular, the Venice trans-lagoon masonry arch bridge is numerically analyzed by means of several 3D FE numerical strategies. The three dimensional behavior of the structure when subjected to train loads and pile foundation settlement is investigated. Focus is also posed to the stabilizing role played by the backfill. Both a non-commercial code and a standard commercial FE software are utilized. The non-commercial code properly takes into account for the orthotropic behavior of the barrel vaults and the stone arches, and allows performing non-linear static and limit analyses on complex 3D structures. Within the noncommercial FE approach, each material of the bridge (barrel vault, external stone arches, spandrels, piers, backfill) is suitably modeled using rigid parallelepiped elements and quadrilateral interfaces exhibiting an orthotropic constitutive law with either softening or rigid-plastic behavior in the non-linear and limit analysis version respectively. In both FE codes, mechanical properties of each material of the bridge (barrel vault, external stone arches, spandrels, piers, backfill) are modeled starting from suitable homogenization procedures in the elastic range (commercial software) and also beyond the linear limit (noncommercial FEM). The bridge is studied under service loads and up to failure for the passage of a standard train on either a single or both tracks. In the analyses, the stabilizing role played by the backfill, the strength increase obtained with stiff lateral stone arches on the barrel vault and the 3D effects induced by both load configurations are discussed. Results obtained with the incremental non-linear procedures are always compared with limit analysis predictions of collapse loads and failure mechanisms. Finally a uniform foundation settlement of one of the piles is simulated.