An Example of Degradation Quantification Applied to the Structural Analysis of Masonry Arches

The degradation of a masonry arch was quantified in order to analyze its structural behavior. The quantification procedure involved mapping of the cracks, crack measurements, measurements of the failures in the crown sections and at the base of the piers, tie thrust measurements and measurement of the water table level. At the end of the three-year measurement period, there were cracks only slightly greater than 0.3 mm, non-significant failures in the crown sections, failures at the base of the piers of about 0.5 mm/year and decreases of the water table level of up to 13 m. The structural behavior of the arch was then analyzed by means of a discrete element algebraic model with the measured failures at the base of the pier as input. This study shows that degradation quantification is essential for structural inspections of masonry structures and for the planning of consolidation and restoration work.