Assessment of technical condition of historic Penny Bridge in Opole in the context of its restoration

Abstract

Penny Bridge constructed at the beginning of the 20th century is an important element of Opole city landscape. This footbridge located within Mozart Street upon Młynówka canal is of a particularly decorative character and displays a series of interesting ornaments made both of steel and stone. Its truss girders have a non-typical structure, where bottom chords are horizontal and the upper ones curved and suspended to an additional parabolic tension member (chord). The footbridge, excluding the deck, has remained almost unchanged until the present day, serving the inhabitants of the city for over 100 years. The last renovation of the structure was performed nearly 25 years ago and its steel structure has suffered certain degradation, mainly as far as the layers of paint and losses due to corrosion. In connection with the aforementioned, the footbridge should undergo urgent restoration. Characteristics of the bridge along with its historical background, concentrating mainly on the results of inspections of the structure in the context of assessing its technical condition, has been presented in the paper. Also, selected results of the analysis of bearing capacity of the girder and the proposed scope of restoration work including the requirements of conservation were given.