ABSTRACT
Among the most prolific engineers of post-war Italy, Adriano Galli (1904–1956) stands out as an eclectic figure: researcher, teacher, and designer, he devoted his attention to different static solutions and techniques. He designed stiffened vault bridges and pioneering prestressed concrete structures, such as the pillars for the Castellammare-Monte Faito cableway (1952). An interesting application of prestressing to bridges design is the tubular aqueduct Galli designed to bridge the crossing of the hydroelectric plant Volturno-Garigliano over the Casilina road in Mignano Monte Lungo, Campania. Completed in 1954, the structure consisted in a conduit supported by piers. The duct was prestressed both longitudinally and radially to avoid tensional stresses, which could cause cracking in the concrete surfaces, hence leakage. The bridge in Mignano represented a noteworthy solution, soon disseminated abroad. Analysing the structure offers an opportunity to contextualize Galli’s ability in theory, experimentation, and practice.
