PSI - Issue 84

Galileo Tamasi et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 84 (2026) 709–716

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8. Conclusions and future developments The conclusions of this study highlight that the reconstruction of the original analytical pathway is not merely an exercise in computational archaeology but a methodological necessity for modern engineering. The use of the Limpid Fox simulator for the HP 97, combined with the application of the original HP Civil Engineering Pac routines, has validated the consistency of the 1960 historical results. This demonstration proves that the algorithms of that era possessed a conceptual robustness capable of ensuring near-perfect convergence with the original design data. Such a "simulated design" approach offers a level of transparency that modern "black-box" software often obscures, allowing the engineer to reclaim the mechanical logic governing the structure’s behavior. The ability to faithfully replicate the bending moment envelope and the reinforced concrete section verifications allows for higher Confidence Levels (LC) during the inspection and monitoring of existing infrastructure. Grasping the original design rationale is fundamental for correctly interpreting structural reserves and potential criticalities. Regarding future developments, this research suggests the potential for digitizing other complex analytical methods that were traditionally solved via manual calculation or nomograms, such as the Engesser method for transverse load distribution. Codifying these procedures into new routines for historical programmable calculators would complete the framework for structural retro-analysis. This method could be extended to more complex structural types, such as Gerber beams or prestressed concrete structures. 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