Structural analysis for the reconstruction design of the old bridge of Mostar

The paper presents the structural analysis performed for the reconstruction design of the Old Bridge (Stari Most) of Mostar, in Bosnia Herzegovina. The bridge survived for more than 400 years, from 1566 till 1993, when it was destroyed by shelling, during the conflict between the Muslims of Bosnia and the Croats. The design was developed in 2000 and 2001 under the supervision of an International Commission of Experts. In the paper brief historical notices and information about topographic and geotechnical surveys and material tests are first given, then results of numerical analyses are presented. The main aim of the structural analysis was the assessment of the load bearing capacity of the bridge for all load cases prescribed by present European Recommendations. Numerical analyses allowed to put into evidence the excellent structural performance of the bridge. The first stone of the bridge was laid on June 27, 2002.