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Analysis of institutional authors

Reyes-Suarez, Juan CAuthorBuitrago, ManuelAuthorBarros, BraisAuthorMakoond, NirvanAuthorLazaro, CarlosAuthorAdam, Jose MCorresponding Author

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September 22, 2025
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Latent resistance mechanisms of steel truss bridges after critical failures

Publicated to: NATURE. 645 (8079): 101-107 - 2025-01-01 645(8079), DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09300-8

Authors:

Reyes-Suárez, Juan Camilo; Buitrago, Manuel; Barros-González, Brais; Mammeri, Safae; Makoond, Nirvan Chandra; Lazaro, Carlos; Riveiro, Belén; Adam, Jose M.
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Affiliations

Univ Politecn Valencia, Dept Mecan Medios Continuos & Teoria Estruct, Valencia, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Valencia, ICITECH, Valencia, Spain - Author
Univ Vigo, CINTECX, Appl Geotechnol Res Grp, Vigo, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Steel truss bridges are constructed by connecting many different types of bars (components) to form a load-bearing structural system. Several disastrous collapses of this type of bridge have occurred as a result of initial component failure(s) propagating to the rest of the structure1, 2-3. Despite the prevalence and importance of these structures, it is still unclear why initial component failures propagate disproportionately in some bridges but barely affect functionality in others4, 5, 6-7. Here we uncover and characterize the fundamental secondary resistance mechanisms that allow steel truss bridges to withstand the initial failure of any main component. These mechanisms differ substantially from the primary resistance mechanisms considered during the design of (undamaged) bridges. After testing a scaled-down specimen of a real bridge and using validated numerical models to simulate the failure of all main bridge components, we show how secondary resistance mechanisms interact to redistribute the loads supported by failed components to other parts of the structure. By studying the evolution of these mechanisms under increasing loads up to global failure, we are able to describe the conditions that enable their effective development. These findings can be used to enhance present bridge design and maintenance strategies, ultimately leading to safer transport networks.
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Keywords

CollapseRobustness

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal NATURE due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 2/136, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Multidisciplinary Sciences. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-04:

  • WoS: 1
  • Scopus: 1
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-04:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 17.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 17 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 140.
  • The number of mentions on the social network Facebook: 2 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 31 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions in news outlets: 14 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Reyes Suárez, Juan Camilo) and Last Author (Adam Martínez, José Miguel).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Adam Martínez, José Miguel.

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Awards linked to the item

This article is part of the Pont3 project (refs: PID2021-124236OB-C31 and PID2021-124236OB-C33) funded by MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and 'ERDF A Way of Making Europe'. We also acknowledge the support from CalSens S.L. for fabricating the bridge specimen and collaborating in the experimental campaign.
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