Author

A.K. TOMOR (1), S. DE SANTIS (2) and J. WANG, Ph.D. (3)

(1) Senior lecturer, University of the West of England, Department of Construction and Property, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK Tel: +44 (0)117 3283 516 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +44 (0)117 3283 516 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: +44 (0) 117 3283 097 Email: adrienn.tomor@uwe.ac.uk

(2) Research Assistant, Roma Tre University, Department of Engineering, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, ITALY Email: stefano.desantis@uniroma3.it

(3) Lecturer, University of Salford, School of Computing, Science & Engineering,Greater Manchester, M5 4WT, UK Email: j.wang@salford.ac.uk

Abstract

In order to develop greater understanding of the long-term fatigue deterioration process of masonry structures, e.g. bridges, the effects of quasi-static and high-cycle fatigue loading have been studied through a series of small-scale laboratory test samples. With the help of acoustic emission monitoring, stages of the damage accumulation processes have been investigated under compression and shear for brick masonry. The relationship between stress level and fatigue life was characterised through S-N type curves and mathematical models. The concept of fatigue and permissibility limit were discussed and related to practical application. Methodology for assessing the life expectancy of masonry structures was demonstrated for masonry arch bridges with potential for wider application.