Bibliometric Analysis on Stochastic-based Assessments of Masonry Arch Bridges

Masonry arch bridges (MABs) remain a critical yet understudied infrastructure asset of transportation networks, particularly in terms of probabilistic assessments. This study provides a systematic bibliometric characterization of non-deterministic research on MABs, aiming to quantify the maturity and thematic composition of the field. A structured search strategy yielded 1,692 publications over more than 30 years, of which 186 employed non-deterministic approaches. An analysis of the historical evolution of research demonstrates a clear time lag relative to reinforced concrete bridges, with probabilistic studies for MABs increasing markedly only after 2014-2015. Fragility-based investigations outpace reliability analyses after 2019, while surrogate modeling applications emerge only in 2018 and remain limited. Co-occurrence networks reveal dominant clusters around seismic hazards and probabilistic modeling, with flood-related research and machine learning remaining marginal. Overall, the bibliometric results highlight a fragmented research landscape and identify key underexplored areas, including advanced surrogate modeling, multi-hazard assessment, and broader adoption of machine learning, helping to inform future research directions and knowledge transfer.

Keywords: Uncertainty quantification, reliability analysis, fragility assessment, risk assessments, reinforced concrete bridges, surrogate modeling, multi-hazard assessments.