PSI - Issue 84

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ScienceDirect

Procedia Structural Integrity 84 (2026) 368–375

© 2026 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Conference Abstract In July 2022, Ministerial Decree No. 242 issued the “Guidelines on Transport under Exceptional Conditions,” whose enforcement, after several extensions, is scheduled for 30 March 2026. In addition to introducing new authorization procedures, the regulation requires, for major structures such as bridges, viaducts, and overpasses, the adoption of traffic load models to define various cases of vehicle transit and perform load-capacity assessments in accordance with the Guidelines on Risk Classification and Management, Safety Assessment, and Monitoring of Existing Bridges. This paper describes how the ASTM group has implemented these guidelines by developing software capable of performing structural analyses on individual works, thereby enabling the concessionaire to grant, or deny, authorization for exceptional-load transit. Through finite element modelling of structures and sectional verifications at engineering-critical zones (mid span and support sections), it was possible to compile a database of all major works for each individual concessionaire. The software was further enhanced via a user-friendly web interface that leverages this database and allows for streamlined authorization workflow for transit requests. The interface enables users to input both the entry and exit points of an exceptional load and automatically identify, by kilometer marker, which structures along the selected route are involved. Routes may vary in complexity, from an entire motorway stretch, to a partial segment from one motorway junction to another, or even a single structure such as an overpass. Beyond structural assessments, the application performs geometric checks, such as vertical clearance, lane width, turning radius, and identifies any construction sites along the route, including on-site equipment. III Fabre Conference: Existing Bridges, Viaducts, and Tunnels: Research, Innovation, and Applications Guidelines for transit in exceptional conditions – application of the guidelines for the stability of structures through sectional checks on the works of the ASTM network Francesco La Fortezza a* , Alberto Contardi a , Giuseppe Pasqualato a a SINA S.P.A., Viale Isonzo 14/1, Milano 20135, Italy

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +39-3201635944. E-mail address: francesco.lafortezza@sina.it

2452-3216 © 2026 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Conference 10.1016/j.prostr.2026.06.048