ZANAZ, ABDELMOUNAIM12; FOUCHAL, FAZIA2; YOTTE, SYLVIE2, CHATEAUNEUF ALAA3

1) Researcher, Algerian government, Algerian ministry of defence, abdelmounaim.zanaz@etu.unilim.fr

2) University of Limoges, Laboratory of Heterogeneous Material Research Group, Civil Engineering and Durability Team, Boulevard Jacques Derche, 19300 Egletons, France, fazia.fouchal@unilim.fr, sylvie.yotte@unilim.fr

3) Clermont University, Blaise Pascal University, Institute Pascal, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, alaa.chateauneuf@univ-bpclermont.fr

Many Programs based on finite element or distinct elements with various adaptations aiming at limiting the computation time, or memory space have been developed to assess masonry structures. Unfortunately they need to be handled by expert engineers and need time for modelling and computing. Maintenance and inspection of tunnels or bridges are realised by engineer teams which generally have neither time, nor deep experience in computer simulation of masonry. The requirements for a tool aimed at masonry engineering structures are twofold: firstly, to be able to test many assumptions (dimensions, local stiffness, cracks localisation, etc), to take into account the inspection results, to predict cracking, to propose reinforcement localisation, and secondly, to be easy to be drawn by engineer, to give a quick and accurate answer.

A solution for limiting computing time is to model 2D problems through planar 1D structure, and to model 3D through space 2D or 1D structure. Such an approach is undertaken in this 2D study and comparison is done with results in literature. It is shown that the difference with other approaches is small and this allows development of program dedicated to maintenance of tunnel or of bridge.

Also, analysis of an arch having a localized defect is performed by means of the present software using a probabilistic approach.

Keywords: bridge, inspection, defect, probability, masonry