International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2020

Vol. 5, Issue 4, ISSN No. 2455-2143, Pages 622-625

Published Online August 2020 in IJEAST (http://www.ijeast.com)

LITHELY ARCH BRIDGE: A REVIEW

R.V. Popate Sheikh Md. Sabir R.H. Mohankar
Department of Civil Engg. Department of Civil Engg. Department of Civil Engg.
PJLCE, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India PJLCE, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India PJLCE, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract— The masonry arch is one of the oldest structural The condition of masonry arch bridges can vary from good
elements. Brick masonry arches have been used for to very poor, but nevertheless they have proven durability
hundreds of years. This technical note is an introduction to with life-cycle costs significantly lower than the majority of
brick masonry arches. Many of the different types of brick other structure types. Total replacement of deteriorated
masonry arches are discussed and a glossary of arch terms masonry bridges is generally unnecessary and is also
is provided. Material selection, proper construction expensive and therefore maintenance strategies should
methods, detailing and arch construction promote solutions that preserve and restore arch structures. In
recommendations are discussed to ensure proper order that the railways may accommodate increased axle
structural support, durability and weather resistance of loads, train speeds and a greater volume of freight traffic, it is
the brick masonry arch. Lithely arch method is innovative, necessary to assess the load carrying capacity of existing
modern, economic and fastest method of construction of masonry arch bridges. Assessment of masonry arch bridges is
arch bridges. This method is invented in Maharashtra, fraught with difficulties as there is little knowledge or
India. Bridges constructed using this method are purely experience of the design of arch structures to modern
compressive in nature. This method utilizes precast units standards, and such structures may have parts hidden from
for construction of arch bridges. This method can be view. The hidden parts, however, influence the structural
utilized for rehabilitation of old arch bridges in India very behavior and have a major effect on the load carrying
economically and with less time. capacity of these bridges. To provide confidence in the
assessment result, reliable input parameters are required.
Keywords— Lithely Arch, Wire Rope, Sockets, Screed Accordingly effective inspection and measuring methods to
Concrete, Spandrel Wall, Plum Concrete establish the parameters are necessary. In addition to visual
inspections, there has been a tendency in recent years
I. INTRODUCTION towards the use of non-destructive testing techniques and
destructive investigation to establish the necessary
. Most of masonry arch bridges, not only in India but dimensional and material parameters.
world over, are more than 80-100 years old. After advent of The lithely arch is India’s only precast, unreinforced bridge
concrete, masonry arch bridges are no more being solution and is developed on the lines of the conventional
constructed. Contrary to doubts, masonry arch bridges are stone-mason built arch bridges.0arch bridges are the most
proving durable with life-cycle costs significantly more reliable and time tested solution for medium span (5m to
economical than for the majority of other type of structure. 20m) bridges. These bridges have been standing strong for
Masonry arch bridges are part of our heritage. To preserve centuries and while they were initially designed for 8-10 tons
our heritage and to utilize these bridges to their maximum of load are carrying modern vehicular load without any
capacity, understanding of arch bridges is vital. as no more distress. 0arch bridges are one of the oldest types of bridges
masonry arch bridges are being constructed in modern times, in existence and are popular for their aesthetic appeal and
engineers have forgotten the old thumb rule methods of their durability. Despite offering multiple benefits their use case
design and also there are no common software available became limited over time due to the difficult and time-
which can analyses the arch bridges correctly taking into consuming construction process and requirement of skilled
account effect of fill, spandrel walls etc. the design of these labour.0modern arch infrastructure, through lithely arch
structures was based on empirical rules which were too retains the core functionality of arch bridges, while
conservative, this has resulted in structures with an inherent eliminating all inconveniences. The lithely arch is based on
ability to withstand the applied loads and extreme weathering the same principles of the conventional arch bridge and
conditions. Masonry arch bridges form an integral part of the requires absolutely no maintenance once installed. The
railway infrastructure. They are the oldest structure type of bridge is designed to have a service life of over 120 years,
the railway bridge population with thousands still in service almost twice that of modern bridge solutions.
despite their age and the significant changes in loading
conditions that have occurred since their construction. Today The lithely arch is India's only Precast, Unreinforced Bridge
many masonry arches carry a load that is radically different solution and is developed on the lines of the conventional
from that when they were constructed. stone-mason built arch bridges.

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 International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2020
Vol. 5, Issue 4, ISSN No. 2455-2143, Pages 622-625
Published Online August 2020 in IJEAST (http://www.ijeast.com)

Arch bridges are the most reliable and time tested solution
for medium span (5m to 20m) bridges. These bridges have II. ERECTION
been standing strong for centuries and while they were
initially designed for 8-10 tons of load are carrying modern Footings must be prepared on each side of the structure. the
vehicular load without any distress. attendant crane lifts each LITHELY ARCH strips and lowers
Arch bridges are one of the oldest types of bridges in it into position over the precast sockets laying a top the
existence and are popular for their aesthetic appeal and foundation / pier top the lithely strips arrive on site completely
durability. Despite offering multiple benefits their use case flat , laying upon flatbed transporters. The components
became limited over time due to the difficult and time- includes the required number of arch strips based on the scope
consuming construction process and requirement of skilled of the project, ready for lifting and placing in position precast
labor. concrete sockets act as the surface on which individual lithely
Modern Arch Infrastructure, through lithely arch retains the arch strips are placed . These sockets are placed in line and
core functionality of Arch bridges, while eliminating all level a top the piers, prior to the commencement of the
inconveniences. The lithely arch is based on the same erection activity. Once all strips have been poisoned and
principles of the conventional arch bridge and requires placed, block masonry spandrel walls are constructed up to the
absolutely no maintenance once installed. The bridge is road top level. Spandrels do not carry ant traffic load but act as
designed to have a service life of over 120 years, almost a permanent shuttering for the poured plum concrete acting as
twice that of modern bridge solutions the back fill to the lithely arch strips .the bridge is then ready
for roadway finishing and any railing protection that may
require.

Steps of Construction of Lithely Arch Bridge

1) Steel mould for casting blocks

2) Sockets for resting arch
3) Concrete blocks in line and levels
4) Wire rope for lifting
5) Ready for screed concrete
6) Arch strips before screed and after screed

Figure No. 1 Lithely Arch Bridge 7) Lifting of strips

8) Arch strips arrive at site on trailer
9) Half lift of arch strip
10) Full lift of arch strips
11) Arches
12) Placed on sockets stabilized , no support required
13) Placing of arches for major bridge
14) Spandrel wall construction
15) Back filling procedure 60% rubble ,40%concrete
16) Proof load resting

Figure No. 02. General Arrangement of Longitudinal 17) Completed open for traffic
Section of Arch Bridge

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 International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2020
Vol. 5, Issue 4, ISSN No. 2455-2143, Pages 622-625
Published Online August 2020 in IJEAST (http://www.ijeast.com)

CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY OF LITHELY ARCH BRIDGE

1. Steel Mould for casting Concrete Blocks 2. Sockets for resting arch 3. Concrete Blocks in line and
level

4. Concrete Blocks in line and level 5. Ready for screed Concrete

6. Arch strip before screed and after screed 7. Lifting of arch strip

8. Arch placed on socket stabilized, no support 9. Back filling procedure 60% rubble, 40% concrete
required

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10. Basic structure 11. Completed open for traffic
 International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2020
Vol. 5, Issue 4, ISSN No. 2455-2143, Pages 622-625
Published Online August 2020 in IJEAST (http://www.ijeast.com)

[7] Sykora M, Holicky M.(2010) “Probabilistic Model For

Masonry Strength Of Existing Structures”, Engineering
III. KEY BENEFITS OF LITHELY ARCH
Mechanics”
TECHNOLOGY
[8] Ali Ura, Seref Oruc. Adem Dogangu, Iskender Tuluk
(2008), “Turkish Historical Arch Bridges And Their
1) Economic method of construction of arch bridge
Deterioration's And Failures”, International Journal of
2) As there is no use reinforcement in the method there
Engineering Failure Analysis15 (2008) ©Elsevier Ltd. pp.
are no chances of corrosion
43-53.
3) No use of bearings and other attachments so there is
no maintenance [9] The Assessment of Highway bridges and structure
4) Form-work is not needed in this method so this is the departmental advice note BA16/97( AMD No 2,2001),
faster method of construction of arch bridges. Section 3- Assessment of masonry Arch Bridge by the
5) Load carrying capacity is high. Modification MEXE Method.
6) Less workers are required [10] Gilbert M, Hobbs B (1995) Impact Testing of Masonry
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100 UK. London.
IV. CONCLUSION [11] Choo, B.S. Contie, M.G. Gong, N.G. ,(1990) “'Analysis
1. The lithely arch system requires no steel reinforced. As a of Masonry Arch Bridges by a Finite Element Method”,
compression structure, it is self –supporting by virtue of Developments in Structural Engineering Spon”
its own weight, without any external support. [12] Heyman, J, (1982)“The Masonry Arch' Ellis Horwood”
2. With the absence of steel rebar content, the possibilities [13] Dr. C. Melbourne,(1990) “The assessment of masonry
for internal correction, rebar expansion, and the resultant arch bridges”.
concrete cracking are eliminated.
[14] Hendry, A.W. Davies, S.R Royles, R,(1986) Load Test to
3. These factors result in a substantially lower carbon
Collapse on a Masonry Arch Bridge at Bargower,
footprint and energy consumption during the construction
Strathclyde' TRRL Contractors Report 26,1986.
and overall life span of the bridge
4. Lithely Arch method is very useful for rehabilitation of [15] Casas J.R. (2001). Reliability-based assessment o f
old arch bridges in India. existing arch bridges, Proc. 3rd International Arch
5. Lithely Arch method is easy, fastest and economical Bridges Conference, Paris, 379-384.
method than other methods of construction of arch [16] Boothby T. E. and Roberts B. J. (2001). Transverse
bridges. behaviour o f masonry arch bridges. Structural Engineer
79(9): 21-26.
V. REFERENCE [17] Hogg V. and Choo B. S. (1994). Serviceability
requirements for masonry arch bridges. Research Project
[1] Modern Arch Infrastructure, Nagpur Report, 1-31.
[2] IRC : 6-2016 ( Standard Specifications And Code Of
Practice For Road Bridges)
[3] IRC: 24-2001(Standard Specifications And Code Of
Practice For Road Bridges)
[4] Saurabh Vilas Joshi , G. N. Kanade,(2019)
“Rehabilitation of arch bridges with lithely arch method” ,
International Journal of Advance Research and
Development.
[5] A. Long, Gupta, A., Mc Polin, D. Courtenay & Cook, J.
(2018). “Adapting The Flexiarch For Widening a
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Unlocking Their Potential”. –Journal of Engineering and
Computational Mechanics, © ICE Proceedings
[1600018]. DOI: 10.1680/jencm.16.00018.

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