PSI - Issue 84

Michele D’Amato et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 84 (2026) 536–543

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riverbed morphology, flow angle of attack, channel contraction, and drainage basin size. The resulting database provides the basis for a statistical assessment aimed at identifying the most critical conditions associated with erosion

vulnerability across the road network investigated. 2. Geomorphological and hydraulic context

The province of Matera, located in the Basilicata region, in Southern Italy, is characterized by a varied landscape, starting from the Apennine and wooded landscape (Fig. 1a) and karst formations characterizing the Murge plateau (Fig. 1b - limestone rocks, caves and ravines) covered with typical Mediterranean scrub vegetation, passing through the area of the suggestive Calanchi (barren clay formations) characterized by sparse, shrubby vegetation (Fig. 1c), and ending at the low, sandy alluvial plain of the coastal area (Fig. 1d,e).

Fig. 1. Landscapes in: a), c) and f) in Central Area; b) in North-East Area; d) and e) in South-East Area.

Its hydrographic network is defined by ephemeral and permanent watercourses, such as the Agri (Fig. 1a), Bradano (Fig. 1b), Cavone (Fig. 1c), Sinni (Fig. 1d) and Basento (Fig. 1f) rivers, and a series of artificial canals (Fig. 1e). This geomorphological complexity, combined with significant spatial variability in soil types and sediment transport processes, creates a dynamic hydraulic environment in which bridges are located. The bridge samples considered are divided into three principal areas within the Matera Province territory, grouping bridges principally located in similar contexts and having similar typologies. In particular, the areas are named as Central, North-East and South-East (respectively the red, green and blue areas in Fig. 1). 3. Methodology In this work, data for the application of the Italian Guidelines methodology are examined (MIT, 2020). This framework proposes a multi-risk (considering Structural, Seismic, Landslides and Hydraulic Risks) and multi-level approach for the classification, management, safety evaluation, and monitoring of existing bridges. It is structured in six assessment levels (from 0 to 5) of increasing complexity and detail. All bridges on the national territory must be assessed up to the initial levels (Level 0, 1 and 2), while higher levels are reserved for specific bridges identified as needing further analysis. Level 0 involves basic information data collection to create an inventory of all existing