Starting in the next few days, a whole series of interventions on bridges and viaducts of the provincial road network.
“Large-scale interventions which represent the further leap in quality implemented by the Province of Potenza, to respond to a need for safety of our roads, but also to safeguard a heritage which has its implications on the tourism level and on the methods of characterize the quality of life of our citizens”
With these words, the President of the Province of Potenza, Christian Giordanoannounced the start of work on Pianello Bridge.
The work of art is located on the SP 17 called “di Capodigiano” at km 1+100, on the connection between the city of Muro Lucano and the hamlet of Capodigiano, where the hospital is located.
The structural characteristics of the Opera, dating back to 1918, are those of an arched bridge overall span of approximately 77 m for overcoming the deep incision between the two rocky cliffs, for a maximum height of approximately 105 m.
The main structure is made up of 4 parallel parabolic arches with a span of 38.2 m and a span of 11.2 m, arranged at a transverse distance of 1.3 m and mutually connected.
The pillars stand out on the 4 arches which, together with the frames arranged outside the arches’ shutters and resting directly on the rock, support the deck girder.
The latter extends along the entire length of the bridge with a continuous beam pattern on 21 supports with an average center distance of approximately 3.9 m. The overall width of the deck is 5.3 m, of which 4.6 m is suitable for vehicles.
“With regards to the type of interventions, in consideration of the historical and architectural value of the Work of Art, general restoration works must be carried out on all surfaces, after protecting/replacing the oxidized and/or corroded metal reinforcements.
The project, carried out by our technical structure of the traffic office to which we would like to thank for the great work done so far – added Giordano – therefore includesworks aimed solely at the maintenance of the Work of Art and the safety of the networks located adjacent to it”.
From a technical point of view, given the particularity of the static scheme, the heights and the multiplicity of the elements to be maintained, it is necessary to provide for the creation of a suspended scaffolding which allows the creation of work surfaces useful for accessing the elements themselves.
For this reason, as well as for the critical conditions it is in, it is preliminary necessary to remove the steel tube bridge, which runs parallel to the structure on the north side.
Once the bypass has been carried out and the temporary networks have been put into operation, the pipes will be removed and the metal structure will be demolished.
For this purpose, two high-capacity mobile cranes will be used, positioned on the two banks without affecting the bridge, which will take charge of the girder in the two internal sections, resting on the reticular pillars.
The pillars will come suitably fixed in advance to the deck of the Pianello Bridge to keep them in balance during the detachment and removal of the central trunk of the girder.
Once disconnected from the pillars, the girder will subsequently be lifted and placed on the bridge deck to allow its dismantling.
We will proceed similarly for the two shorter shore sections.
Once the pillars have been freed from the overhead load, after cutting the temporary head connections, the reticular pillars will be partly disconnected from the foundations to form hinges at the base.
In this way it will be possible place the columns on their respective slopes and secure them for subsequent dismantling and removal of materials.
Once the steel structures of the tube bridge have been removed, it will be possible to proceed safely with the installation of the suspended scaffolding for the execution of maintenance work on the concrete elements constituting the bridge, in the order, proceeding from above, girder intrados, pillars and connecting beams, arches and connecting crosspieces.
The amount of the planned works is 1,723,482.00 Euros from the funds of Ministerial Decree 225/2021 – Ponti Decree.
