Pedestrian wooden footbridges in Verbania - Diagnosis

The analysis was aimed at estimating the degradation of the main beams of two wooden footbridges (one made with solid wood and the other with lamellar wood) in Verbania.

The execution of the following activities was requested:

• visual inspection;
• tests with resistograph;
• access and positioning through ropes.

The visual inspection provided the analysis of all the structural elements, with special attention to the critical positions such as supports, joints, contact between wood and metal connectors and plates. At a second stage, the results of this preliminary inspection were implemented with the use of manual tools, such as punch and hammer, to locate the areas that required more accurate instrumental analysis. At a third stage, the analysis was carried out through resistograph.

Due to the operative difficulties in reaching the wooden elements located under the deck, work with access and positioning techniques through ropes proved to be appropriate.

The tests have highlighted that the wooden footbridges are very sensitive to degradation, especially where there are metal plates or joints and where the wooden structural elements are not protected by weathering.