Introduction
Following the success of the Masterclass given at the University of the West of England in
July 2010, a follow-on event is being organised on the 24-25 May 2012 with a European perspective. The Masonry Arch Bridges Masterclass 2012 aims to introduce recent developments around Europe relating to masonry arch bridge assessment, monitoring,
maintenance and management from a practical perspective.
Masonry arch bridges represent the highest percentage of UK and European bridge stock, most of which are now over 100 years old. The rapidly increasing traffic demands, ageing bridge infrastructure and constantly reducing maintenance budgets put increasing pressure on bridge owners, assessing engineers, infrastructure managers, contractors to make use of limited resources and ensure that bridges remain in service for the longest possible time.
The two-day Masterclass is aimed at practitioners involved with masonry arch bridge assessment, monitoring, maintenance and management, such as bridge owners, local authorities, consulting engineers, contractors and academic engineers and provide updates on recent developments around Europe.

9.30-10.00 Registration and Coffee
10.00-10.15 Welcome by the Dean of the Faculty
MONITORING TECHNIQUES AND MATERIAL CHARACTERISATION
10.15-11.00 Session 1
Dr Adrienn Tomor, University of the West of England, UK
Long-term fatigue life expectancy and acoustic emission monitoring of masonry arch bridges.
11.00-11.45 Session 2
Dr Els Verstrynge, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium
Structural integrity assessment of masonry: NDT, monitoring, experimental material charactarisation
MAINTENANCE, STRENGTHENING AND MANAGEMENT
11.45-12.30 Session 3
Dr José Martín-Caro, INES Engineers, Spain
Deterioration processes due to durability problems in masonry arch bridges and related repair techniques.
12.30 – 14.30 Lunch
14.30 - 15.15 Session 4
Dr Daniel V. Oliveira, University of Minho, Portugal
Conservation of ancient masonry arch bridges in Portugal
15.15-16.00 Session 5
Dr Luis Esteras, ADIF, Spain
Consolidation of the infill and strengthening solutions by the Spanish railways
16.00 – 16.30 Tour of the department (optional)
Evening programme
Coach pickup from UWE
18.00 - 19.00 Site seeing in Clifton
19.00 - 22.30 Dinner in Clifton Sausage restaurant

09.00 - 09.30 Coffee & Exhibition
09.30 - 10.15 Session 6
Graham Cole
The Impact of Inspections on the Asset Valuation of Masonry Arch Bridges
ASSESSMENT, MODELLING
10.15 - 11.00 Session 7
Dr Matthew Gilbert, Sheffield University, UK
Analysis of masonry arch bridges
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee
11.30 - 12.15 Session 8
Dr Stefano de Santis, Rome Tre University, Italy
Structural modelling and assessment of masonry arch bridges in Italy: research and practice
12.15 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 14.45 Session 9
Dr Bill Harvey, BHA, OBVIS, UK
Stiffness and strength in the behaviour of masonry bridges
14.45 - 16.00 Discussion