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Ponte Morandi

Coordinates: 44°25′33″N 08°53′20″E / 44.42583°N 8.88889°E / 44.42583; 8.88889
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Ponte Morandi
Ponte Morandi in 2010
Coordinates44°25′33″N 08°53′20″E / 44.42583°N 8.88889°E / 44.42583; 8.88889
Carried4 lanes of roadway
Crossed
LocaleGenoa, Italy
Official namePonte Morandi
Characteristics
Total length1,102 metres (3,615 ft)
Height45 metres (148 ft)
Longest span210 metres (690 ft)
History
DesignerRiccardo Morandi
Construction start1963
Construction end1967
Opened4 September 1967 (1967-09-04)
Collapsed14 August 2018 (2018-08-14)
Location
Map

Ponte Morandi (English: Morandi Bridge) or Polcevera viaduct was a bridge on the A10 motorway in Genoa, Italy. The bridge, one of the major links to France, crossed the river Polcevera between Sampierdarena and Cornigliano districts in Genoa. The viaduct was built between 1963 and 1967, and opened on 4 September 1967; it was named after its designer, Riccardo Morandi. On 14 August 2018, the bridge partially collapsed, killing at least 39 people, with dozens missing.[1]

History

Design

The bridge was designed by Riccardo Morandi. It is similar to his earlier 1957 design for the General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, located at the outlet of Lake Maracaibo in western Venezuela, and connecting Maracaibo with the rest of the country, which partially collapsed in 1964 when the tanker Esso Maracaibo collided with the approach spans.[2][3][4] Morandi's cable-stayed bridges are characterised by very few stays, often as few as two per span, and often with the stays constructed from prestressed concrete rather than the more usual steel cables.

Locals nicknamed the structure Brooklyn Bridge.[5]

Construction

The viaduct was built between 1963 and 1967 by Società Italiana per Condotte d’Acqua [it]. It had a length of 1,102 metres (3,615 ft), a height of 45 metres (148 ft) at road level, and three reinforced concrete piers reaching 90 metres (300 ft) in height; the maximum span was 210 metres (690 ft). It featured cable-stayed segments, with the vertical supports (trestles) made up of two superimposed Vs: one carried the roadway beam, while the other, upside down, supported the upper tie rods.

View of Polcevera Viaduct in 2007

The viaduct was officially opened on 4 September 1967 in the presence of the President of the Republic Giuseppe Saragat.[6]

Maintenance and strengthening

The bridge has been subject to almost continual restoration work since the 1970s due to an incorrect assessment of the effects of viscosity of the concrete in the bridge's design. This oversight resulted in excessive deferred displacement of the vehicle deck[2] so that it was neither level nor horizontal; at the worst points, it undulated in all three dimensions. Only after continual measurement, redesign, and associated structural works was the vehicle deck considered acceptable, approaching horizontal by the mid-1980s.[2][7]

From 1990 onward, the easternmost pillar had its stays strengthened by flanking them with external steel cables.[8] The original stays were kept in place, their pre-stress effect having been only modest.[2] Many questions are being raised about the stays.[9]

On 3 May 2018, the Autostrade Company announced a call for tenders for the structural upgrade of the viaduct to the value of €20,159,000, with a deadline of 11 June 2018.[10]

Workers were installing brand new heavy Jersey barriers on the Ponte Morandi before it collapsed.[9]

The bridge looked dilapidated with loose cables before the collapse.[11]

Replacement proposals

By the mid-2000s, the A10 route through Genoa and over the bridge had become highly congested. The City council requested proposals for improvement of traffic flow through Genoa, with the Autostrade Company in 2009 resultantly proposing the "Gronda di Ponente" project to improve flow, by moving traffic to a newly built Autostrada interchange system located to the north of the city. As part of the initial study and report, the Autostrade Company measured that the bridge carried 25.5 million transits a year, with traffic having quadrupled in the previous 30 years and "destined to grow, even in the absence of intervention, of a further 30% in the next 30 years". The study highlighted how the traffic volume, with daily queues at peak hours joining the Autostrada Serravalle, produced "an intense degradation of the bridge structure subjected to considerable stress", with the need for continuous maintenance.[12] The study showed that in the option for improving what was termed as the "low gutter", it would be more economic to replace the bridge with a new one north of its current location, and then to demolish the existing bridge.[13]

In the 1990s the bridge had shown signs of weaknesses. At this point material support was added. Rust on metal materials of the bridge became more evident since then.[14] In 2016, the bridge was characterised by Antonio Brencich, a Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Genoa, as a "failure of engineering", mainly due to high maintenance costs.[15][16][17]

Collapse

Genoa motorway bridge collapse
The collapsed section of the Ponte Morandi
Deaths39
Non-fatal injuries16
Missing10+
The collapsed part of the bridge is shown in red
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
200m
220yds
Location of the collapse
Location of the collapse, which resulted in the A10 motorway being severed

On 14 August 2018 at around 11:30 local time (9:30 UTC), during a torrential rain storm, a 210-metre (690 ft) section of the Ponte Morandi collapsed.[18] This was centred on the westernmost pillar[18] and crossed the Polcevera, as well an industrial area of ​​Sampierdarena. Eyewitnesses reported that the bridge was hit by lightning before it collapsed.[18] Between 30 and 35 cars and three trucks were reported to have fallen from the bridge.[15]

A large part of the collapsed bridge and the vehicles on it fell into the rain-swollen Polcevera. Other parts landed on the tracks of the Turin–Genoa and Milan–Genoa railways, and on warehouses belonging to Ansaldo Energia, an Italian energy company,[19] which were largely empty because the collapse occurred on the eve of Ferragosto (a public holiday).[20]

The initial hypotheses are that a structural weakness or a landslide caused the collapse.[21][22] The bridge was reportedly undergoing maintenance at the time of the collapse, including strengthening the road foundations.[23]

According to the Corriere della Sera, this was the 11th bridge collapse in Italy since 2013.[24]

Victims and rescue efforts

Thirty-nine people were confirmed dead, fifteen were injured and more were reported missing .[25] The dead were citizens of Italy (27), France (4), Chile (3), Albania (2), and Colombia, Peru and Romania (1 each).[26][27]

Multiple survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, many in critical condition.[19] Davide Capello, former goalkeeper for Cagliari, survived without injury and was able to walk away from his car, even though it dropped 30 metres (100 ft) before becoming wedged between parts of the fallen bridge.[28][29]

The area under the remaining part of the bridge, including several homes, was evacuated.[18] As of 02:00 the following day (midnight UTC), twelve people were known to be still missing, and voices could be heard calling from underneath the debris; rescue efforts were continuing by floodlight using techniques commonly deployed after earthquakes.[30]

Aftermath and reaction

Governor Giovanni Toti said that the loss of the bridge was an "incident of vast proportions on a vital arterial road, not just for Genoa, but for the whole country".[18] Italian Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli described the incident as "an immense tragedy".[18] According to Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Edoardo Rixi, the entire bridge will be demolished.[31] The disaster resulted in a drop in the stock price of the road's operator Atlantia, whose stock price dropped up to 11% and closed slightly below 5% for the day.[32] The Italian Football Federation announced a minute's silence would be had for the victims of the collapse before all sporting events across the country during the weekend that followed the incident.[33]

The railway between Genoa Borzoli and Genoa Piazza Principe was closed as a result of the bridge's collapse. A bus replacement service was laid on between the two stations.[34] The day after the collapse, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a state of emergency for the Liguria region, which would last a year.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lutto a Genova per il crollo del ponte: almeno 39 le vittime, 3 sono bambini - Tgcom24". Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Sara Frumento (14 August 2018). INGEGNERI.info (ed.). "Ponte Morandi a Genova, una tragedia annunciata" [Bridge Morandi in Genoa, a tragedy foretold?] (in Italian). Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  3. ^ Enzo Boldi (14 August 2018). Giornalettismo (ed.). "IL PONTE MORANDI ERA DEFINITO UN «VIADOTTO MALATO» E SEMPRE SOGGETTO A LAVORI DI MANUTENZIONE" [The Ponte Morandi was termed a 'sick' Viaduct and always subject to maintenance work] (in Italian). Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  4. ^ "The collison between "Esso Maracaibo" & the Bridge". Auke Visser's Other Esso Related Tankers Site. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Speculation mounts over Genoa bridge collapse". Deutsche Welle. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Genova: crollo del ponte Morandi. Era stato inaugurato 51 anni fa" [Genoa: collapse of the Morandi bridge. It was officially opened 51 years ago]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  7. ^ Harlan, Chico (15 August 2018). "'Should not happen': Italian officials look for answers after dozens dead in bridge collapse". Washington Post. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Ponte Morandi a Genova: analisi dell'infrastruttura e dichiarazioni dell'ing. Brenchic" [Ponte Morandi in Genoa, a tragedy foretold?]. Ingegneri.info (in Italian). 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Genova, crollo del ponte autostradale, nel mirino i cavi di cemento armato. A maggio bando di gara per sostituirli". la Repubblica (in Italian). 14 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Autostrade per l'Italia ristruttura il viadotto del Polcevera a Genova" [Autostrade per l'Italia restructures the Polcevera viaduct in Genoa] (in Italian). 3 May 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Shocking photo shows Genoa bridge 'crumbling' weeks before it collapsed killing at least 39 people - Ibex News 24". Ibex News 24. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Genova, storia del ponte Morandi dalle polemiche al crollo". Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  13. ^ Alessandro D'Amato (14 August 2018). "La mancata manutenzione ha causato il crollo del ponte Morandi a Genova?" (in Italian). NeXt.
  14. ^ https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180815/world/italy-bridge-operator-in-the-spotlight-as-collapse-death-toll-rises.686850?utm_source=tom&utm_campaign=top5&utm_medium=widget
  15. ^ a b Molloy, David; Peter, Laurence; Palmer, Ellis (14 August 2018). "As it happened: Genoa motorway bridge disaster". BBC News. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  16. ^ Taylor, Matthew (14 August 2018). "'Unusual' span of collapsed Genoa bridge had seen frequent repair work". the Guardian. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Ponte Morandi? Per il professor Brencich è "un fallimento dell'ingegneria", Genova". www.primocanale.it (in Italian). Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  18. ^ a b c d e f "Italy bridge: Dozens feared dead in Genoa as motorway collapses". BBC News. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018. Cite error: The named reference "BBC-45183624" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  19. ^ a b "Genova, crolla parte di un ponte sull'A10. Auto sotto le macerie: "Almeno venti vittime"" [Genoa, collapse of part of a bridge on the A10. Cars under the rubble: "At least twenty victims"]. La Stampa (in Italian). 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  20. ^ ITV News at Ten, 18 August 2018
  21. ^ "'Dozens dead' as major road bridge collapses in Genoa". Sky News. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  22. ^ "Genoa bridge COLLAPSE latest: 35 dead in IMMENSE TRAGEDY as Italy motorway FALLS to ground".
  23. ^ "Italy's Autostrade was carrying out maintenance on Genoa bridge". Reuters. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  24. ^ "Dieci i ponti crollati in 5 anni: in calo la manutenzione e gli investimenti". Corriere della Sera. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Genova, crollo ponte Morandi: le vittime". La Repubblica. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  26. ^ "39 morti a Genova, dispersa famiglia novarese. Rischio di nuovi crolli: "Le case non si salveranno"". LaStampa.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  27. ^ "Gênes, en direct : au moins vingt-deux morts dans l'effondrement d'un segment d'un viaduc autoroutier". Le Monde.fr (in French). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Grief and anger at Italy bridge collapse". BBC News. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  29. ^ "Former Cagliari keeper survives 'apocalyse' Genoa bridge collapse". afp.com. 14 August 2018.
  30. ^ "Italy bridge rescuers search into the night". BBC News. 14 August 2018.
  31. ^ "Genova, crolla ponte Morandi sulla A10: "Sono 23 le vittime accertate". Precipitati 30 auto e 3 tir: si cercano dispersi. Aperta inchiesta per omicidio e disastro colposi" [Genoa, Morandi bridge collapses on the A10: "26 victims are ascertained". Rushed 30 cars and 3 trucks: they are looking for missing. Open investigation for murder and culpable disaster]. Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  32. ^ "Italy motorway bridge collapses over Genoa, 'dozens' feared dead". Reuters. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  33. ^ "Minute's silence for Genoa victims". Football Italia. 14 August 2018.
  34. ^ Florentino, Michael-Ross; Rodriguez, Marta. "Morandi Bridge collapse: how to travel through Genoa now". Euronews. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  35. ^ "Italy bridge: State of emergency follows Genoa disaster". BBC News Online. Retrieved 15 August 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viadotto Polcevera.
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