Case Study: Assessment of the Load-Carrying Capacity of Multi-span Masonry Ancient Roman Arch Bridge Situated in “Campana”, Near L’Aquila City (IT)

Abstract

The “Campana” Roman bridge is a masonry type structure located near L’Aquila in a small village seriously damaged by the catastrophic earthquake that struck the city of L’Aquila on the 6th of April 2009. This bridge is a strategic access point for the village of Campana both for the common use and for the heavy trucks involved in the construction activities due to seismic event. This ancient bridge was built in order to carry smaller load than current ones. The Campana village Major asked for performing the assessment of the bridge real carrying capacity. The structure is a multi-span arch bridge with 6 arches with a total length of 33 m. The evaluation process is based on CNR guidelines “DT 213/2015” in agreement with the current Italian Technical Code DM 14.01.2008, starting with the experimental testing program in order to get information about the geometric dimensions and the masonries’ mechanical parameters. Two different analysis methods were used in the carrying capacity analysis: (1) Computational limit analysis methods (also known as ‘plastic’ or ‘mechanism’ methods) based on the Heyman hypothesis; (2) Finite element methods “FEM” with 3d FE model discretized with “bricks” elements. The results of the two methods were compared and the “AF” Adequacy Factor was defined. Seismic analysis has also been included in the study with the aim of evaluating the bridge structural behavior under dynamic actions.