Structural evaluation of historic masonry arch bridges based on first hinge formation

Galicia, a Northwest region of Spain, contains numerous historic masonry arch bridges but little is known regarding their live-load capacities. Several of these bridges carry modern vehicular traffic and have been surveyed using advanced geomatic techniques. In this paper, close-range photogrammetry data are used to develop structural models of a Galician bridge. Elastic analyses are performed considering variations in arch geometry and stiffness to determine the live-load capacity based on first hinge formation and aimed at serviceability and historic preservation of the bridge. Comparisons are finally made with the plastic limit load to evaluate the proximity to a collapse mechanism.