3RD INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL: STRENGTHENING TECHNIQUES OF EXISTING BRIDGES

The main objective of this Summer School is to provide advanced training in existing bridge engineering, with specific focus on safety assessment, risk classification and management, deterioration analysis, innovative materials and strengthening techniques.

Existing bridges are strategic assets within transport infrastructure networks. During their service life, they may be affected by increasing traffic loads, material deterioration, ageing, changes in design standards and, in many cases, seismic vulnerabilities not explicitly considered at the time of construction. These issues require reliable assessment procedures, effective maintenance strategies and innovative strengthening solutions.

The 2026 edition will address current challenges in bridge assessment and intervention, including the Italian Guidelines for risk classification and management of existing bridges, prestressed concrete bridge technology, nonlinear finite element analysis, shear assessment, reuse of existing bridge components, and case studies on large-span and small-span bridges. Particular attention will be devoted to innovative strengthening techniques and materials, such as UHPFRC, FRP composites, high-performance concretes and sustainable fibre-reinforced solutions.

The course will combine lectures by internationally recognized experts, research presentations, design examples, case studies and a technical visit to reinforced concrete arch bridges in Valvestino. It will offer participants a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating structural analysis, material technology, monitoring, inspection, design standards and practical intervention strategies.

The main goal of the Summer School is to provide participants with a solid scientific and practical background while enhancing interaction between academic research and professional practice.