Testing the earthquake damage and vulnerability of the Cherichira aqueduct bridge, Kairouan (Tunisia) with discrete element modeling

A detailed analysis of the Cherichira aqueduct bridge (CAB) in Kairouan, Tunisia, reveals that while earthquake ground motions can cause damage to its structure, they are unlikely to be the sole cause of its total collapse. Using discrete element modeling based on a laser scan model and historical data, researchers simulated the dynamic behavior of the Aghlabid-period CAB under various seismic scenarios. The study found that single-component ground motions with peak particle velocities above 1.0 m/s can damage the bridge's upper section, including the water canal, but only a nearby thrust fault activation among full 3D earthquake simulations resulted in distinct damage patterns. Fractures observed in the ruins of the CAB align with those produced in the model, suggesting seismic activity may have contributed to disruptions in water flow, though not necessarily to its complete collapse.

Hinzen, K.-G., Meghraoui, M., Bahrouni, N., & Reamer, S. K. (2022). Testing the earthquake damage and vulnerability of the Cherichira aqueduct bridge, Kairouan (Tunisia) with discrete element modeling. Mediterranean Geoscience Reviews, 4(4), 495–516. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42990-022-00093-w