In-situ NDT testing procedure as an integral part of failure analysis of historical masonry arch bridges

A nineteenth-century masonry arch bridge was analyzed as an illustrative example to explain the role of in-situ test campaigns in failure analysis and retrofit design. Test results were studied to find out the advantages of each technique, with the aim of proposing an optimized in-situ testing procedure. Standard static penetrometer, flat jack, thermographic and georadar in-situ tests were conducted. Traffic effects were analyzed by means of vibrational tests. The experimental analysis performed to investigate damage on the bridge structures shows the degree of reliability offered by each technique in evaluating specific information and reproducing the global behavior of the structure.