Numerical Investigation of the Failure Mechanism of Articulated Aqueduct

Abstract

The total water needs of the city of Athens are supplied through the Mornos aqueduct. The Mornos aqueduct includes series of tunnels, siphons, and open R/C (reinforced concrete) canal segments. On the 29th of March 211, sudden failure of the Mornos aqueduct took place causing interruption of the water supply. The failure has occurred in the Taxiarches canal of the Mornos aqueduct. It resulted in failure and displacement of the segmental parts of the aqueduct in a region spanning 8 m. The failure of the canal occurred in a zone of sharp morphology, at the front of an overthrust, vulnerable to erosion. A numerical investigation was carried in an effort to interpret the mechanism that caused the failure. The soil–structure interaction of the foundation conditions in respect to the segmental superstructure of the aqueduct is studied utilizing numerical simulation tools. The finite-element numerical analysis that was carried out includes two research fields. Initially, the role of the joint interface between articulated segments was investigated. Subsequently, the behavior of the whole numerical simulation of the aqueduct including the joint interfaces between segments were studied. Different numerical analysis was carried out to evaluate numerically the failure scenario. It was numerically established that the high water level in the surveillance road next to the aqueduct and the nonuniform subsoil condition of the foundation of the aqueduct raised the vulnerability of the structure. The numerical simulation proposed in the current study could be a useful tool for the inspection of articulated open channels for the avoidance of activation of similar failure mechanisms.