Recent advances in the analysis of masonry arch bridges, substantiated by extensive testing programs in the United States and Europe, provide bridge engineers and inspectors with increasing confidence that reasonable estimates can be made of the capacity of these structures. Observations of ultimate strength testing indicate that spandrel walls and fill contribute greatly to the strength and stiffness of these structures, and that loads approaching the plastic collapse load can often be obtained. Observations from service load testing indicate that the development of cracking and non-linearity under service loads can be a significant indicator of the capacity of the structure. Modeling of these structures has shown the importance of restraint of the abutment to the overall resistance of the structure, and has recently shown the importance of transverse effects in diminishing the strength of structures with high spandrel walls or thin arch rings.
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