Computational strategy for the design of monitoring for masonry arch bridges using DIC procedures

Masonry arch bridges are old structures characterised by a complex behaviour. Detailed monitoring is essential to improve the understanding of the response under different loading conditions, to identify damaged structures, and to validate numerical models for accurate structural assessment. Generally, standard monitoring techniques necessitate direct access and contact to the analysed structure, which can be problematic in many cases. The use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) overcomes these critical limitations offering an improved potential for detailed and streamlined monitoring. This work focuses on the development of advanced computational tools to support the practical application of DIC monitoring in field conditions. The proposed procedure utilises results from 3D numerical models to generate synthetic video files representing the bridge response under traffic loading, which can be subsequently employed to calibrate camera setups for DIC monitoring.