Vergai Bridge
The Project
Definitive and Executive Design, Health and Safety Coordination during both design and construction phases, and Construction Supervision for the project entitled “Conservative Restoration, Protection and Seismic Upgrading of Ponte Vergai, located in the Municipality of Villa Collemandina (LU)”.
Introduction
This project concerns the conservative restoration and seismic upgrading of Ponte Vergai, located in the Municipality of Villa Collemandina (Lucca). Designed by Prof. Ing. Arturo Danusso of the Politecnico di Milano and built between 1931 and 1932, this engineering landmark, owned by the Province of Lucca, has been under the technical stewardship of AICE Consulting for over twenty years to ensure its long-term preservation.
Technical details
Seismic Upgrading Works:
- Longitudinal seismic capacity: Construction of new reinforced concrete abutments and installation of longitudinal shock-transmitter devices.
- Transverse seismic capacity: Frame strengthening through structural jacketing and installation of unidirectional elastomeric disc bearings.
Conservative Restoration Works:
- Suspended scaffolding: To enable safe access to all bridge surfaces.
- Reinforcement treatment: Application of corrosion-inhibiting cementitious mortar on exposed steel rebars.
- Geometric reconstruction: Use of fiber-reinforced thixotropic mortar for volumetric restoration.
- Final surface coating: Application of pre-mixed protective mortars, waterproofing layers, and protective finishing paint.
Architectural Lighting: Installation of LED lighting beneath the deck overhang will create a dramatic nighttime visual effect, highlighting the bridge’s arches and lateral embankments.
Results
Thanks to our contribution in enhancing safety and improving seismic resistance, this bridge—originally built in the 1930s—is now ready to serve the community with greater reliability and security. This represents a significant step forward, not only in terms of improved traffic flow but also in the overall enhancement of the infrastructure. The architectural lighting design we implemented, featuring a new LED system, further integrates the structure into the surrounding landscape, highlighting its historical and functional value.
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