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Structural Capacity Assessment of Cultural Bridges Key Study Dragoti Bridge



Author(s)

Arian Lako¹, Shkëlqim Gjevori² and Xhorxhia Lako³

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7359/2023.01.001

1. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Tirana 1001, Albania
2. Instituti i Studimeve të Transportit, Ministria e Infrastrukturës dhe Energjisë, Tirana 1001, Albania
3. Free Lancer, Paris 75019, France

In this presentation, we have shown the methodology for the structural assessment of bridges that belong to the inventory of cultural heritage. Due to the significant number of “sub-standard” bridges, it is impossible for interventions in these bridges to be simultaneous and immediate, so certain criteria and priorities must be established in the ways of interventions for their rehabilitation. Bridges that are most at risk and need to be rehabilitated as soon as possible should be determined, and bridges that can be rehabilitated at a later stage should be identified. The prioritization scheme should include a number of aspects beyond the “pure engineering” ones. Main in this process are: seismicity of the area and the probability of the seismic event, vulnerability of the structure. Different structural systems may be considered to be more vulnerable in the event of an earthquake than others, and therefore may need attention as soon as possible. To make this preliminary assessment, we used the methodology of the US Highway Federation, then we proceed with the in-depth assessment of the carrying capacity using the well-known “time history” or “push over” methods, according to the specific case. As an example for the application of this methodology, we have taken the Dragoti Bridge, a category II cultural monument, the bridge with the largest span of light in Albania of 108 m. 

Dragoti Bridge, structural rehabilitation, structural assessment.