Geometry & boundaries
Drawings, CAD, sketches, support conditions, constraints and known simplifications.
Services
Bridge & Retrofit Simulation
Advanced numerical modelling for masonry bridges, arch structures, retrofit concepts, blast response, seismic vulnerability, and damage-mechanism interpretation.
Buyer problem
Masonry · CFRP · seismic · blast · resilience
Historic and masonry bridges can have complex geometry, discontinuous materials, low tensile capacity, local cracking, spalling, and brittle damage mechanisms that simplified global models cannot represent adequately.
Method
Axis applies research-backed finite element methods including detailed micro-modelling where appropriate, nonlinear material models, dynamic response analysis, retrofit comparison, damage tracking, and visualization of vulnerable zones.
Deliverable
Deliverables can include baseline/retrofitted comparisons, displacement and damage contours, material-model documentation, strengthening interpretation, and figures suitable for technical reporting or research communication.
Value
The work supports preservation, retrofit decision-making, vulnerability screening, and communication of strengthening effectiveness before physical intervention or more expensive testing.
Typical inputs
What we need to scope this service.
Materials & loading
Material grade, available test data, load history, temperature, pressure, blast/VCE or operating assumptions.
Decision objective
What the simulation must answer: local stress, damage indicator, comparison, screening, report or research evidence.
Technical depth
How Axis scopes masonry bridges, retrofit concepts, blast/seismic vulnerability and local damage mechanisms.
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When this service is needed
Use this path when a bridge or arch structure requires nonlinear assessment under blast, seismic action, retrofit comparison or local damage investigation. It is especially relevant where masonry, backfill, CFRP, steel reinforcement or concrete components interact in a way that simplified methods cannot resolve.
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Modelling depth
The service can include geometry idealization from drawings or scans, macro- or micro-modelling, CDP, JH-II, Mohr–Coulomb or other material models, contact/interface decisions, dynamic loading and comparison of strengthened versus unstrengthened configurations.
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Verification controls
Axis FEA reviews support assumptions, mesh adequacy, material-model sensitivity, damage localization, displacement histories, energy response and whether the chosen model is proportionate to the decision being made.
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Client value
The output supports retrofit screening, damage-mechanism understanding, vulnerable-zone identification and communication of results to engineers, owners or researchers who need more than a qualitative statement of risk.
Typical inputs
- Drawings, survey data, scan data or representative geometry
- Masonry, backfill, concrete, steel or composite material assumptions
- Blast, seismic, traffic or retrofit scenario
- Required comparison: baseline, strengthened, damaged or alternative detail
- Deliverable level: figures, report, model review or research support
Scoping note
The level of modelling is selected after reviewing the engineering question, available data, uncertainty and required decision. Axis does not recommend high-complexity simulation when a simpler verified check is more appropriate.
Related proof
Relevant case studies.
CFRP-strengthened masonry arch bridge under close-range blast
Peer-reviewed Abaqus/Explicit CEL blast simulation of a CFRP-strengthened masonry arch bridge, with JH-II masonry, Mohr–Coulomb backfill, JWL TNT and VUMAT-based material implementation.
Scope a bridge & retrofit simulation problem.
Send available files and the engineering question. Axis FEA will respond with a suitable analysis route and required inputs.