Numerical Modeling and Modal Analysis of Puranapul an Ancient Arch Bridge

Masonry arch bridges are known to be the nation’s valuable infrastructure systems for decades especially, in a country like India. Most of the masonry arch bridges prevailing since ancient times are still serviceable which, profoundly indicates their robustness in design and construction methodology. Abandoning such important bridges will influence the transportation practices and economy of the nation. Inadequate proficiency or knowledge of masonry structures and its testing procedures has been the most common reason to abandon them. The absence of proper maintenance and monitoring of the health of heritage structures can lead to deterioration at a much faster pace. In this study, an ancient heritage masonry arch structure ‘PuranaPul’ bridge which was built based on the keystone concept and inaugurated in the year 1578 across the river Musi in Hyderabad was considered for investigation of its health through visual inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT). And the same bridge is numerically modeled using commercially available software ANSYS in three dimensions for assessing the basic mode shapes of the structure.