STRENGTHENING OF STONE MASONRY ARCH BRIDGES THREE ...

Case Study
6. Case Study
The engineer when considering strengthening and repair of the bridge has in mind the
primary objective of the bridge continuing to fulfil its function. Moreover, the engineer
attempts to seek a solution in which a bridge will provide unrestricted passage. To the
engineer a bridge that does not or partially fulfils its function is an anathema. Similarly
the engineer will often wish to rectify aspects of the bridge, which appear to be out of
keeping with the original structure.
Strengthening and repair of listed bridges may introduce disparate requirements. On the
one hand the bridge is to be preserved in all its aspects such that its character and
appearance remain unchanged and on the other it is required to form a link in a road
network.
The extent and character of works of strengthening and repair will depend on the
deficiency in strength of the bridge and the condition of the materials of construction.
The works will also depend on the degree to which the full function of the bridge is to
be restored.
Donim Bridge
6.1 General Data
This project concerns the study on the conditions of stability and strengthening of
Donim Bridge. The bridge, that crosses the river Ave, has been built during the Middle
Ages, probably during the XVI cent. This bridge became part of the old itinerary that
linked Guimarães to Póvoa of Lanhoso.
The bridge has a total length of 63m, and 3.44m of width of carriageway. The deck of
the bridge is plane supported by three arches of masonry of perfect turn that present
spans of unequal dimensions 9.39, 11.80 and 6.57m, respectively measured from north
to south and free heights from 7.52, 10.10 and 7.79m. The central arch presents a larger
Leonardo da Vinci Program 45