Seismic Damage Response of Masonry Arch Bridges Under Velocity Pulse-Like Ground Motions

Abstract

This study examines the seismic response of masonry stone arch bridges during the 2023 Kahramanmara & scedil; earthquakes, emphasizing near-fault, velocity pulse - like ground motions. Nonlinear time-history analyses, combined with Concrete Damage Plasticity modeling, evaluate bridge-soil system displacements, strains, and tensile damage. Results indicate that peak ground velocity (PGV) governs damage accumulation and failure patterns, which differ from conventional collapse mechanisms of masonry arches. This work provides new insights into pulse-induced seismic damage and enhances understanding of the seismic vulnerability of masonry arch bridges, supporting performance-based assessment and risk mitigation for bridges located in near-fault regions.