Backtesting the iconic Polyfytos balanced-cantilever bridge to enhance condition assessment

Abstract

This paper introduces a comprehensive framework for reliable damage assessment and decision-making for bridge intervention planning. By utilizing historical data and 3D-UAV photogrammetry, a detailed 3D numerical model is created, incorporating advanced modeling and scenario-based approaches. The methodology is applied to the Polyfytos bridge in Greece, which faces significant vertical deck deflections that disrupt traffic and impact local communities. This approach offers a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient process, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions with minimal physical interaction with the bridge. The integration of advanced modeling with in-situ measurements and expert judgment is emphasized. For the Polyfytos bridge, the framework helps prioritize retrofits and assess the deck’s remaining strength under various loads, providing estimates of its overstrength. This aids in evaluating the bridge’s ability to handle additional vertical loads through pushdown analysis. Overall, the framework is valuable for rapid infrastructure assessment, identifying damage patterns, severity, and the urgency of interventions related to structural strength.