PSI - Issue 62

Ettore De La Grennelais et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 62 (2024) 48–56 Author name / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

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2. Preliminary considerations The road network under examination in the partnership between ANAS and BOLINA Engineering stands out for its extraordinary diversity in terms of bridges, varying significantly in construction year, materials used, static schemes, and state of preservation. This heterogeneity demands a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to safety assessment, as the diverse characterization of artistic structures poses a significant challenge for management and maintenance. First and foremost, a detailed analysis at the individual bridge level proves essential to understanding the specific peculiarities and challenges of each structure. The variety in construction years reflects the evolution of construction techniques over time, with different bridges experiencing varying environmental conditions and structural loads. The diversity in materials used, ranging from steel to reinforced concrete, introduces additional complexity to the evaluation, as each material uniquely reacts to atmospheric agents and wears over time. The variety of static schemes and structural configurations adds another layer of complexity. Bridges with different geometries and static schemes require specific analysis to understand structural behavior under different loads. This heterogeneity not only impacts verification methodologies but also necessitates the customization of maintenance strategies based on the intrinsic characteristics of each work. Another key element to consider is the varied state of preservation of the bridges. Wear and tear due to factors such as structural aging, heavy traffic, atmospheric agents, and lack of maintenance can vary significantly from one bridge to another. The need to adopt targeted maintenance interventions becomes crucial, with the goal of preserving and extending the operational life of each structure. The described heterogeneity necessitates a statistical approach to safety assessment. It is insufficient to analyze each bridge in isolation; instead, one must consider the broader context of the road sections where these works of art are concentrated. An expert judgment on safety must account for state variables, considering not only individual structures but also their cumulative impact on the overall safety of the road network. In summary, the management of bridge safety on the ANAS road network in Northeastern Italy requires an integrated and advanced approach. The diversity of works makes a thorough analysis at the individual bridge level crucial, while emphasizing the importance of a statistical approach to expertly assess the safety of road sections. The partnership between ANAS and BOLINA Engineering, operating across all levels of verification, reflects a commitment to addressing this complex challenge and ensuring the safety and durability of infrastructure on a large scale. As shown in Fig.2, the activity is organized into a two-year program with the division of the entire bridge asset into two major categories, summarized as follows. 3. Summary of the activity carried out The ongoing activity on each individual structure is organized into the following phases: a) Historical Analysis of Documentation: – Historical analysis of documentation available in the ANAS archive. – Evaluation of defects identified within the Inspection Sheets present in the ANAS-RAM-BMS system. b) Preparation of Diagnostic Investigation and Structural Survey Plan: – Drafting a plan for diagnostic investigation and structural survey based on the results obtained in the previous step. c) Execution of Structural Geometric Survey: – Execution of a structural geometric survey of the structure in situ. d) Execution of Crack Survey: – Execution of a survey and crack mapping of the structure and its components. e) Diagnostic Investigations for Characterization: – Execution of diagnostic investigations aimed at characterizing construction details and materials. – Conducting in situ tests on structural elements. – Execution of non-destructive and destructive tests on-site for sampling, to be analyzed within a certified laboratory as per Article 59 of DPR 380/2001, following the provisions of NTC2018.