Resilient Coastal Bridge Design for Naples Port: A Case Study

Thesis Abstract

Coastal infrastructure in Naples Port faces increasing exposure to extreme weatherevents, sea-level rise, and siltation, underscoring a need for resilient bridge design that maintains serviceability under multi-hazard conditions. The study addresses the gap between traditional bridge design practices and the performance requirements of dynamic coastal environments, aiming to develop an integrated framework for resilient coastal bridge design applicable to Mediterranean port settings. The specific objectives are (i) to assess the current vulnerabilities of Naples Port coastal bridge assets to hydrodynamic loading, storm surge, scour, and corrosion; (ii) to identify design strategies and retrofit options that enhance structural resilience, durability, and rapid repair capability; (iii) to quantify performance under climate-induced loading using probabilistic and reliability-based approaches; (iv) to develop a decision-support tool that integrates environmental data, material performance, and maintenance planning; and (v) to formulate guidelines for policy-makers and engineers to implement resilience-centric design. The methodological approach combines a case-study research design with mixed methods. The population includes all operational bridges within Naples Port and their governing maintenance records, coastal environmental monitoring datasets from the regional sea observatory, and publicly available climate projections for the Mediterranean region. A purposeful sample of 12 representative bridge spans is selected based on age, material, span configuration, and exposure to tidal and wave action. Data collection instruments comprise (a) structural health monitoring data, including sensor readings for vibration, displacement, and corrosion potential; (b) geotechnical and bathymetric surveys to characterize scour and foundation performance; (c) archival records of maintenance, rehabilitation, and failure events; and (d) semi-structured interviews with engineers and port authorities to capture decision processes and constraints. The study employs a multi-analytical framework (i) probabilistic reliability analysis to quantify failure probabilities under climate scenarios using Monte Carlo simulations; (ii) finite element modeling to evaluate structural response under coupled hydrodynamic and seismic loads; (iii) computational fluid dynamics to assess scour and surge effects; (iv) material degradation modeling for corrosion and fatigue life estimation; and (v) thematic analysis of interview transcripts to contextualize technical findings within governance and operational realities. The research is anchored in the theories of resilience engineering and socio-technical systems, complemented by the theory of life-cycle performance and the concept of robust decision-making under uncertainty. Data analysis will integrate quantitative and qualitative results. Numerical results will be interpreted via lognormal reliability indices and hazard curves, with regression analysis and ANOVA used to identify key predictors of degradation and retrofit effectiveness. The integration of environmental scenarios will utilize Bayesian updating to refine predictions as new data become available. The expected findings include (i) a quantified inventory of bridge-specific vulnerabilities under representative climate scenarios, (ii) validated retrofit strategies—such as scour protection, durable coatings, corrosion-resistant reinforcement, and modular repair concepts—that improve resilience metrics by 25–40%, (iii) a decision-support tool that ranks retrofit options by life-cycle cost and resilience impact, and (iv) actionable guidelines for Naples Port authorities aligning with European civil engineering standards and climate adaptation policies. The study anticipates contributing to knowledge by bridging coastally informed design theory with pragmatic, data-driven retrofit planning for port infrastructure in the Mediterranean, and by providing a transferable methodology for other coastal ports facing similar multi-hazard risks. The main conclusion is expected to emphasize that resilience-oriented design and adaptive maintenance, underpinned by probabilistic life-cycle assessment and robust decision-making, significantly enhance the long-term performance and availability of coastal bridge assets in Naples Port. Recommendations will focus on implementing the proposed design framework, expanding monitoring networks, institutionalizing data sharing between port authorities and researchers, and incorporating resilience criteria into procurement and policy instruments to support proactive, cost-effective adaptation of coastal bridge infrastructure.