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4TH. CONFERENCE ON ARCH BRIDGES

Barcelona, November 17-19 2004

REPAIR OF STONE MASONRY ARCH BRIDGES

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Daniel Oliveira

&

Paulo Loureno
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UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

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CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

INTRODUCTION
Masonry Arch Bridges in Portugal:
INTRODUCTION

- Roman Period, Medieval Age and Modern Period

(Priceless architectural and cultural legacy, but often showing signs of damage)

Major Causes of Damage: - Deep change of loads for which bridges were built - Lack of adequate maintenance - Ageing processes (decay of the materials)

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

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CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

INTRODUCTION

Generalized Damage: - Absence of mortar in the stone joints - Existence of vegetation and biological colonization - Presence of humidity and efflorescences - Accelerated decay of the materials Localized Damage: - Longitudinal cracking of the arches - Lack of plumbness of the spandrel walls - Movement of abutments

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

But damage can be minimized

- By reducing the traffic load

- By performing periodical inspections - By carrying out repair and strengthening measures

(Preventive maintenance)

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CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

When dealing with architectural valuable constructions

Principles of Intervention in the Architectural Heritage

INTRODUCTION

(ICOMOS):
-

Minimum repair to assure safety and durability Respect of the original conception Compatibility between existing and new materials

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Survey and Repair of 2 Portuguese Masonry Arch Bridges - Boutaca Bridge - Donim Bridge
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CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

BOUTACA BRIDGE (stone masonry) - Local: Batalha, center of Portugal - Purpose: roadway (belonging to the former road Lisbon-Porto)
INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE

- Date of construction: 1860 - Dimensions: 60m length, 7m width (5m span )

Tie rods + anchorages Flat roadway

T1 C6 C5 C4

T6 T3 C3 C2 T5 C1 P1

A7

T4 A6 T2 P6 A5 A4 A3 P4 P3 A2 A1

P7

P5

P2

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Pointed Arches Buttressing System

Uncertain safety conditions Survey requested

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CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

Results of the Survey carried out: - Vegetation & lost of plaster (lack of maintenance)
INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE

- Humidity & biological colonization (deficient drainage system) - Cracking in the buttress walls (Buttresses overloaded) - Existing anchorages much deteriorated
masonry)

and rather deformed

(outward movement of

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

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CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

Recommended Remedial Measures:

A) Structural Strengthening

- Lightening the buttresses Tie rods + patress plates

INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE

Additional buttressing system

C6

C5

C4

C3

C2

C1

A7

P7

Detail

Patress plate

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Tie rod
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CONFERENCE

ON

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BARCELONA,

2004

B) Other measures:

- Waterproofing of the pavement and reconstruction of the

drainage system

INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE

- Cleaning and removal of vegetation - Replacement of plaster - Need for periodical visual inspections

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

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4 T H.

CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

DONIM BRIDGE (stone masonry) - Local: Guimares, North of Portugal - Purpose: roadway (major importance untill 2 centuries ago)
INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE DONIM BRIDGE

- Date of construction: 15th 16th century - Dimensions: 62m length, 4m width (larger span 12m)
Flat roadway

A1

A2

A3

A4

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Right pier Left pier

Flood arch

Pier + Cutwaters

Semicircular Arches

Precarious safety conditions Survey requested

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CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

Results of the Survey carried out: - Extensive longitudinal cracking in the left arch - Longitudinal cracking in the flood (right) arch - Cutwater of the right pier highly damaged - Infesting vegetation all over the bridge

INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE DONIM BRIDGE

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

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CONFERENCE

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BARCELONA,

2004

- Spandrel walls out of plumb - 1 block foundation missing

(underwater inspection)

- A numerical analysis (3D, non-linear) carried out allow to

INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE DONIM BRIDGE

confirm the damage observed and helped understanding its causes

(Incremental principal strains)

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Major problems : - Outward movements of spandrel walls - Longitudinal cracking in the left and right arches - Pre-collapse of a cutwater (right pier)

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CONFERENCE

ON

ARCH

BRIDGES

BARCELONA,

2004

Recommended Remedial Measures:

A) Left Arch (return joints thickness to its original width) - Remove of the infill

- Voussoirs placed in their original positions by means of

INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE DONIM BRIDGE

rope-strechers

- Fastening of stainless steel U profiles placed in a U shape

above the arch and close to the spandrel walls

- Tie rod to bind the spandrel walls - Infill put back into its place
] profiles
SPANDREL WALL

tie rod

shape
UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Tie-rod

Anchor rods

U profiles

Anchor rods
ARCH

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CONFERENCE

ON

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BARCELONA,

2004

B) Flood (right) Arch

(prevent further spreading of the arch)

- Full width anchors across the arch - Stitching anchors linking the arch to the spandrel walls
INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE DONIM BRIDGE

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Stitching anchors

Full width anchors

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CONFERENCE

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BARCELONA,

2004

C) Other measures:

- Dismantling and rebuilding of the right cutwater

stones + steel cramps + steel latches)

(same

INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE DONIM BRIDGE

- Replacement of the missing foundation stone block - Waterproofing of the pavement and reconstruction of the
drainage system

- Cleaning and removal of vegetation - Repointing of the deteriorated masonry joints

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

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CONFERENCE

ON

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BARCELONA,

2004

Final Remarks
Common features to both examples

- Adoption of repair measures compatible with modern

INTRODUCTION BOUTACA BRIDGE DONIM BRIDGE FINAL REMARKS

principles of structural intervention in the architectural heritage

- Waterproofing and drainage of the pavement - Cleaning and removal of vegetation

UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Thank you for your attention

www.civil.uminho.pt/masonry

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