Seismic performance of a masonry arch viaduct subjected to foreshocks and a mainshock

The main objective of this work is to present the results of seismic numerical investigation which was conducted for a masonry arch viaduct. The viaduct which was chosen as a case study, was subjected to foreshock-mainshock sequence. For the numerical evaluation a 3D finite element model (FEM) of the structure was assembled with the ABAQUS/Standard software program. In the numerical simulations a Barcelona Model (BM) was applied as a constitutive material model to represent nonlinear behaviour of the masonry arches of the investigated viaduct under the seismic actions. Taken into consideration the results of calculations the evident nonlinear behaviour of the masonry arches was detected under the earthquakes. The plastic strains as well as the cracking were achieved in some areas of the arches of the viaduct after seismic foreshock-mainshock sequence. Also proposed methodology for strengthening and monitoring of the structure of the viaduct in the future.