Modelling a stone arch bridge

[jackddd]

Hi

Firstly I know that Solidworks is not designed for stone structures, however, If i was to model a stone arch bridge with a parabolic curve can anyone tell me the best way to go about this? At the moment i have just created the arch, fixed the base and applied loads. I now realise that this is not very realistic due to the hinges that are created in a stone arch, the fact that solidworks models the bridge as a solid piece rather than bricks, and the fact that the base would not be fixed as it would be dug into soil.

Has anyone tried to do this before and if so what is the best method to try and address these issues? Is there a way i can create bricks? Also is there a way that i can put in hinges (essentially cracks in the arch that naturally occur due to the inelastic nature of stone) and still be able to mesh the model for simulation? (Meshing doesn't like gaps as you may know)

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Jack

 

[Jboggs]

I think the best way to do it is to look at the arch as an assembly, which it is. In fact, its final shape is really just a result of the shapes of the individual stones. That way you can define the mates and FEA connections between the individual stones. No single stone "knows" anything about any overall loading or shapes. It only "knows" the loading imposed on it by adjacent stones and by its own weight.

 

[drawoh]

jackddd,

Create a pseudo-part representing the hole. Make it transparent, and set the density to something low, like 0.1[ ]kg/m[sup]3[/sup]. Attach your bricks to the parabolic face of your pseudo-part.

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JHG

 

[nadeemK]

I am also working on Stone Arch bridge load rating for E80 Copper loading.

I modeled my Stone Arch in Staad as a plane frame. I divided my Stone Arch in 20 elements. Calculate all the fill load, self weight on each element and run the staad Pro to get the member end forces.

I need help in analyse it for LL which is E80 loading. Can someone help me in this regard.

Thanks

NadeemK

 

[drawoh]

jackddd,

Modelling the stone arch bridge as one correctly shaped piece is not a bad start. The resulting part is not real. I would set the material density to the lowest number I can, 0.1kg/m[sup]3[/sup]. I would create some stones, and attach them to the model. When you are done, you can suppress or hide your original model.

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JHG