Virtual Investigation of Masonry Arch Bridges: Digital Procedures for Inspection, Diagnostics, and Data Management

The Italian road and rail networks are characterised by the widespread presence of artworks, such as bridges, tunnels and viaducts, built in different historical periods. Among these, masonry arch bridges are very common and still play a functional role since they are part of roads still in use. Historic masonry bridges have been modified over the centuries due to changing needs of transport, often through specific adjustments such as widening the carriageway or resurfacing pavement road with modern materials and, in some cases, reinforcing the structures. These historic structures, although adequate, respond to different stresses, mainly related to the increase in load compared to the time of their design and construction. For this reason, it is necessary to implement actions aimed at the maintenance and safety of these structures through constant monitoring of the state of health, not only with the sensors but also with visual inspections repeated over time. In order to facilitate the analysis operations and to link the different expertise involved in the multidisciplinary knowledge process, it is important to define operational procedures and tools that are able to manage the vast historical infrastructural heritage of our territory. A virtual system, integrating digital tools and online repositories, has been set up to promote visual inspection operations for assessing the current state of the artefacts and ensuring data management by making it accessible to professionals and stakeholders involved in the intervention planning for maintenance and conservation.