DESCRIPTION: This presentation details the comprehensive restoration study of the historic Iron Bridge in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. Designated a heritage structure, the bridge remains in active service, carrying vehicles up to 4,000 kg (4.4 US tons). The structure consists of seven spans, each measuring 40.6 m (133 ft) in length and 5.80 m (19 ft) wide between main beams.
Historical research in the Municipal Archives revealed that the bridge's installation was decreed by Argentine President Julio Argentino Roca in 1898. To support the restoration effort, extensive material characterization was conducted. Metallographic analysis confirmed that the bridge is constructed of wrought iron, with detailed chemical composition, section thickness, and hardness measurements. Tensile testing and Charpy impact testing provided comprehensive characterization of the original construction material.
The investigation assessed both the structural condition and the extent of corrosion throughout the bridge. This presentation will cover the preservation protocols developed, including corrosion-mitigation strategies, repair methodologies (welding versus material replacement), and standardized procedures for surface preparation and protective coating application.
SPEAKER: Patricia Silvana Carrizo, Head of the Archaeometallurgy Area at the Institute of Materials and Applied Technology (IMTECAP), National Technological University
Dr. Patricia Silvana Carrizo is a Chemical Engineer with a PhD in Engineering who specializes in Failure Cause Analysis and serves as Head of the Archaeometallurgy Area at the Institute of Materials and Applied Technology (IMTECAP), National Technological University, Mendoza Regional Faculty (UTN FRM), where she also holds the position of Head Professor of Practical Works in Materials Science. She is the author and editor of Reverse Engineering of Ancient Metals (Springer, 2022) and she founded and served as the first chair (2021-2023) of the ASM Archaeometallurgy Technical Committee. Dr. Carrizo's contributions to research, education, and cultural heritage have earned her recognition as an Outstanding Woman (2022) and the Medal of Merit (2025) from the Honorable Deliberative Council of Luján de Cuyo. She has served as Guest Editor for two special issues on Archaeometallurgy for the ASM-IMS journal Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis.