The Bridge Over the Adda River in Brivio: History, Full-Scale Testing and FE Modelling

Abstract

Selected results from the investigation program of a historic R.C. bridge are presented in the paper. The bridge, crossing the Adda river between the Municipalities of Brivio and Cisano Bergamasco, consists of three tied arch spans, about 44.0 m length each, and represents a crucial node for the vehicular traffic of the region. After a maintenance intervention performed on one pier, the local Authorities committed to Politecnico di Milano an extensive investigation including: (i) documentary research and review of the bridge history; (ii) visual inspection and geometric survey of each span; (iii) full-scale load tests and ambient vibration tests; (iv) FE modelling of each span and validation of the numerical models (through comparison with the available experimental results) and (v) structural assessment of the bridge in its present condition. After a concise review of the bridge history, the paper summarizes the complete results of the experimental tests performed on one span (visual inspection, geometric survey, full-scale load tests and dynamic tests) as well as the development of numerical models.

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