Work

Operational modal analysis and pushover analysis of Pons Fabricius, Rome

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper presents a study on Pons Fabricius, the Roman bridge which connects Tiber Island to the left bank of the Tiber in Rome, which represents an important legacy of the cultural heritage of the ancient Roman era. The bridge has been investigated by means of a 3D laser scanner survey and ambient vibration measurements, obtaining its modal characteristics. The eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes are determined according to operational modal analysis (OMA). A finite element (FE) model of the bridge has been developed, based on the 3D laser scanner survey, considering different materials for vaults, spandrels, parapets and fill. Spring elements are adopted to model the foundation. The model is first validated in terms of eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes with the results obtained from the OMA. Then, the nonlinear behavior of the bridge is investigated by performing a pushover analysis, where a constitutive relation with damage is adopted, obtaining results in terms of the main engineering demand parameters and evolution of damage.

Source: Procedia Structural Integrity

DOI: 10.1016/j.prostr.2026.06.147

Authors: Domenico Liberatore, Daniela Addessi, Carlo Inglese, Federica Trimarchi, Alessandra Paoloni

Institution: Sapienza University of Rome

Language: English

Topic: Structural Health Monitoring Techniques

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Porticus Foundation, European Commission, Sapienza Università di Roma