A mindlin shell finite element for stone masonry bridges with backfill

Stone masonry bridges are difficult to analyse with commercial finite element (FE) packages for their specific heterogeneous composition. The stone arch is best modelled as a thick shell where there are predestined directions of tension failure, normal to the bed joints. A dedicated, very simple, Mindlin shell finite element is developed with five translational degrees of freedom per node. It features compatibility with linear isoparametric or constant strain elements for the backfill. Most bridges can be analysed with a sufficient accuracy assuming plain strain conditions. The element then simplifies to a Timoshenko beam element with three translational degrees of freedom per node. An application of the latter one to the bridge at Poniklá is presented

Rescue of a stone bridge with respect to current condition and standards

A three span stone masonry bridge dating back to the middle of the 19th century, still in the roadway network, is assessed to prevent its demolition. Its industrial heritage value and ecological concerns were the principal reasons for the assessment. The carbon footprint of the stone arch replacement would be approximately 200 t CO2 emission owing to 430 m3 reinforced concrete in the new structure. Besides the cultural monument, considerable energy, CO2 emissions and natural resources can be saved in accordance with the sustainable development goals. Standards, guides and commercial software do not provide an adequate support for the assessment of masonry arch bridges, therefore an innovative two phase application of a commercial linear sttructural analysis code and an original in-house code was developed for the purpose. Thousands of stone ach bridges still in service worlwide give the case study more general importance

Risk management software platform ZOTY for SMEs

This paper deals with the introduction and application of the software platform ZOTY, which is a new innovative software platform to accelerate the implementation of management and operation systems. In the first part, the research of available solutions for risk management on the market with the comparison of their pros and cons is described. This study shows that complex software with all intended functions was not available at a comparable price level which is acceptable for SMEs. In the next part, the functionalities of created software platform ZOTY are described. Also, one example of many methodologies used in the software platform is described in detail. At the end of the paper, the main benefits of the new software platform are described

Risk management software platform ZOTY for SMEs

This paper deals with the introduction and application of the software platform ZOTY, which is a new innovative software platform to accelerate the implementation of management and operation systems. In the first part, the research of available solutions for risk management on the market with the comparison of their pros and cons is described. This study shows that complex software with all intended functions was not available at a comparable price level which is acceptable for SMEs. In the next part, the functionalities of created software platform ZOTY are described. Also, one example of many methodologies used in the software platform is described in detail. At the end of the paper, the main benefits of the new software platform are described