Setting up and developing the project of the structures, starting from the needs and objectives of the project, up to evaluating the alternatives in terms of impact and sustainability: aesthetic, functional, economic and safety. Insights into the behavior and verification of structural elements and structures as a whole, including foundations, with reference to the actions, including seismic action, and the required performance also with reference to current legislation. Interaction of structural design with other design aspects, as the design should involve all aspects. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation from the conception to the development of the project and to the realization of the work.
Canali
teacher profile teaching materials
• General criteria for structural design
• Structural configuration: concept of Structural Regularity
• Analysis methods and design criteria
• Stiffness and strength checks
• Non-structural elements
• Earthquake and structural response
• The single degree of freedom oscillator
• The standard elastic response spectrum
• Ductility and the behavior factor
• The design spectrum
• Capacity design (hierarchy of strengths)
• Rapid assessment of the main critical issues
Si tratta del Testo aggiornato delle norme tecniche per le costruzioni, di cui alla legge 5 novembre 1971, n. 1086, recante «Norme per la disciplina delle opere in conglomerato cementizio armato, normale e precompresso ed a struttura metallica» e alla legge 2 febbraio 1974, n. 64 recante «Provvedimenti per le costruzioni con particolari prescrizioni per le zone sismiche».
The lecture materials provided by the instructor.
Programme
• General characteristics of buildings• General criteria for structural design
• Structural configuration: concept of Structural Regularity
• Analysis methods and design criteria
• Stiffness and strength checks
• Non-structural elements
• Earthquake and structural response
• The single degree of freedom oscillator
• The standard elastic response spectrum
• Ductility and the behavior factor
• The design spectrum
• Capacity design (hierarchy of strengths)
• Rapid assessment of the main critical issues
Core Documentation
NTC – 2018. DECRETO 17 gennaio 2018. Aggiornamento delle «Norme tecniche per le costruzioni» che sostituiscono quelle approvate con il decreto ministeriale 14 gennaio 2008.Si tratta del Testo aggiornato delle norme tecniche per le costruzioni, di cui alla legge 5 novembre 1971, n. 1086, recante «Norme per la disciplina delle opere in conglomerato cementizio armato, normale e precompresso ed a struttura metallica» e alla legge 2 febbraio 1974, n. 64 recante «Provvedimenti per le costruzioni con particolari prescrizioni per le zone sismiche».
The lecture materials provided by the instructor.
Attendance
Attendance, as required by the regulation, is mandatory at 75%.Type of evaluation
The final exam consists in an oral discussion which also includes an examination of the elaborate products for the design theme. teacher profile teaching materials
1. SEISMIC RESPONSE OF STRUCTURES
1.1. Response of structures in the linear range
1.1.1. Single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems:
• Simple oscillator.
• Free vibrations with and without damping.
• Forced vibrations with and without damping.
• Response of a simple oscillator subjected to a generic dynamic force.
• Definition of elastic response spectra (acceleration, velocity, displacement).
• Calculation of seismic forces on a simple oscillator using the elastic acceleration response spectrum.
1.1.2. Multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems:
• Lumped-mass models.
• Free vibrations.
• Modal analysis.
• Seismic actions.
• Seismic analysis using the acceleration response spectrum.
• Simplified approaches and analytical evaluation of second-order geometric non-linear effects ($P-\Delta$).
1.2. Seismic response of structures in the non-linear range:
• Ductility (material, section, element, structure).
• Simple oscillator with elasto-plastic behavior.
• Non-linear response spectra (design spectra).
• Behavior factor (structure coefficient).
2. REVIEWS AND ADVANCED TOPICS IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
• Mechanical characterization of materials and simplified constitutive laws according to current codes (NTC 2018 with Circular 2019, Eurocode 2 for reinforced concrete, Eurocode 3 for steel, Eurocode 4 for composite steel-concrete systems, and Eurocode 8; brief overview of Eurocode 5 for timber components).
• Review of design and verification according to Ultimate Limit States (ULS; axial force, bending, combined axial force and bending, and shear) covered extensively for both reinforced concrete and structural steel.
• Review of design and verification according to Serviceability Limit States (SLS; bending, deflection control, deformability, and crack width limitation) for reinforced concrete and steel elements.
• ULS design and verification for biaxial bending with axial force and thorough analysis of buckling phenomena for steel members under compression (flexural, torsional, and flexural-torsional buckling).
• ULS design and verification: construction of $M-N$ interaction diagrams for reinforced concrete elements under combined axial force and bending and for steel profiles, including a critical analysis of how the presence of a bending moment reduces the axial load capacity in steel members (a highly penalizing effect for high slenderness ratios) compared to reinforced concrete.
• ULS design and verification of reinforced concrete and steel elements under torsion.
• ULS design and verification of reinforced concrete slabs and plates.
• ULS design and verification for reinforced concrete shallow foundations.
• Analysis and calculation of Composite Steel-Concrete Sections: Classification criteria for composite sections (Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4), calculation of the plastic bending capacity (with symmetric and asymmetric reinforcement), and definition of the effective width of the concrete slab.
Note on material flexibility: If the design project chosen within the architectural design studios involves the use of timber for specific parts or circumscribed sub-systems of the building (e.g., roof framing), the fundamental concepts of design and verification for timber elements will be briefly addressed.
3. STRUCTURAL DESIGN IN SEISMIC ZONES
• In-depth analysis of seismic action.
• Structural conception and criteria for sound structural design in seismic zones: regularity in plan and elevation, symmetry, stiffness distribution, and a holistic synthesis between the structural skeleton and the architectural space from the very earliest conceptual phases.
• Introduction to potential structural design strategies in seismic zones (elastic design, capacity/ductility design, base isolation, dissipative systems, Tuned Mass Dampers - TMD, etc.).
• Structural modeling in seismic zones and an advanced multi-hazard approach to structural robustness (redundancy mechanisms, force redistribution/re-routing pathways, and mitigation of progressive collapse risk under exceptional events).
• Building codes and standards for structural design (Technical Standards for Construction - NTC in Italy, Eurocodes in Europe, and international standards).
• Design of foundations.
4. PROJECT APPLICATION: STRUCTURAL DESIGN IN A SEISMIC ZONE
4.1. Design and verification of floors, slabs, and roofs:
• Selection of the structural typology (traditional cast-in-place hollow-brick and concrete slabs, composite slabs with steel decking, or potential lightweight timber framing for the roof only).
• Technical standards and codes for design and verification.
• Definition of the structural system (sectional geometries, layout, joist/beam orientation, etc.).
• Analysis of gravity loads and their combinations (seismic and non-seismic).
• Analytical and numerical modeling of the floor/roof system.
• ULS and SLS design and verification of the composite steel deck + concrete slab system.
• Construction detailing and mechanical connection systems in composite configurations.
• Structural design drawings and blueprints.
4.2. Design and verification of a structure (Reinforced Concrete, Steel, or Composite)
• Definition of the seismic action and evaluation of the global structural behavior (modal analysis).
• Analysis and combination of design loads.
• Definition of the structural system (moment-resisting frames, reinforced concrete shear walls, steel bracing systems).
• Technical codes for structural design (Italian NTC and Eurocodes).
• Analytical and numerical modeling using F.E.M. (Finite Element Method) software.
• Multidisciplinary synergy and building physics: Integration and interaction of the structural skeleton with infill walls and secondary elements (stairs, cantilevers), along with proactive coordination with architectural technology and building physics to preserve structural durability and avoid aesthetic or functional penalties.
• Design and verification of structural elements for seismic and non-seismic ULS and SLS (beams, slabs, plates, columns, walls, joints, and stairs) in reinforced concrete or steel, according to capacity design principles (hierarchy of resistances).
• Fundamentals of geotechnics: soil bearing capacity, sliding, and overturning verifications.
• Design and verification of shallow foundations (punching shear, flexural reinforcement).
• Design and verification of column-to-footing connections (base plate connections).
• Construction detailing (anchorages, lap splice lengths in reinforced concrete, bolted and welded connections in structural steelwork).
• Preparation of complete, detailed, and construction-ready structural design drawings.
5. METHODOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION CULTURE
• Seismic retrofitting or upgrading of existing structures (safety assessment and evaluation criteria).
• Sustainable structural design and LCA workflows: Environmental impact assessment of structures using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), criteria for the decarbonization of construction processes, and structural optimization methodologies aimed at minimizing widespread overdesign.
• Innovative construction techniques and technological transition: Integration into industrial workflows of modular prefabrication, industrialized construction, and new job-site paradigms related to emerging 3D concrete printing technologies to reduce logistical impacts and execution timelines.
• Structural systems using sustainable and bio-based materials: Analysis, modeling, and conception of structural systems made from ultra-low carbon materials, with a systemic focus on the potential of engineered mass timber modular structures and modern load-bearing applications of raw earth/unfired clay (rammed earth techniques, etc.).
• Structural Circular Design: Integrated application of Design for Adaptability (DfA) and Design for Disassembly (DfD) frameworks to promote selective dismantling, performance recovery of end-of-life components, the philosophy of Design for Reuse, and structural upcycling processes for future flexible urban environments.
aicap - Associazione Italiana Calcestruzzo Armato e Precompresso
DETTAGLI COSTRUTTIVI di STRUTTURE in CALCESTRUZZO ARMATO
aicap - Associazione Italiana Calcestruzzo Armato e Precompresso
PROGETTAZIONE DI STRUTTURE IN CALCESTRUZZO ARMATO
GUIDA ALL’USO dell’EUROCODICE 2 con riferimento alle Norme Tecniche D.M. 14.1.2008
aicap - Associazione Italiana Calcestruzzo Armato e Precompresso
PROGETTAZIONE SISMICA DI EDIFICI IN CALCESTRUZZO ARMATO
GUIDA ALL’USO dell’EUROCODICE 2 con riferimento alle Norme Tecniche D.M. 14.1.2008
aicap - Associazione Italiana Calcestruzzo Armato e Precompresso
Programme
COURSE PROGRAM: CONTENTS AND STRUCTURE1. SEISMIC RESPONSE OF STRUCTURES
1.1. Response of structures in the linear range
1.1.1. Single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems:
• Simple oscillator.
• Free vibrations with and without damping.
• Forced vibrations with and without damping.
• Response of a simple oscillator subjected to a generic dynamic force.
• Definition of elastic response spectra (acceleration, velocity, displacement).
• Calculation of seismic forces on a simple oscillator using the elastic acceleration response spectrum.
1.1.2. Multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems:
• Lumped-mass models.
• Free vibrations.
• Modal analysis.
• Seismic actions.
• Seismic analysis using the acceleration response spectrum.
• Simplified approaches and analytical evaluation of second-order geometric non-linear effects ($P-\Delta$).
1.2. Seismic response of structures in the non-linear range:
• Ductility (material, section, element, structure).
• Simple oscillator with elasto-plastic behavior.
• Non-linear response spectra (design spectra).
• Behavior factor (structure coefficient).
2. REVIEWS AND ADVANCED TOPICS IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
• Mechanical characterization of materials and simplified constitutive laws according to current codes (NTC 2018 with Circular 2019, Eurocode 2 for reinforced concrete, Eurocode 3 for steel, Eurocode 4 for composite steel-concrete systems, and Eurocode 8; brief overview of Eurocode 5 for timber components).
• Review of design and verification according to Ultimate Limit States (ULS; axial force, bending, combined axial force and bending, and shear) covered extensively for both reinforced concrete and structural steel.
• Review of design and verification according to Serviceability Limit States (SLS; bending, deflection control, deformability, and crack width limitation) for reinforced concrete and steel elements.
• ULS design and verification for biaxial bending with axial force and thorough analysis of buckling phenomena for steel members under compression (flexural, torsional, and flexural-torsional buckling).
• ULS design and verification: construction of $M-N$ interaction diagrams for reinforced concrete elements under combined axial force and bending and for steel profiles, including a critical analysis of how the presence of a bending moment reduces the axial load capacity in steel members (a highly penalizing effect for high slenderness ratios) compared to reinforced concrete.
• ULS design and verification of reinforced concrete and steel elements under torsion.
• ULS design and verification of reinforced concrete slabs and plates.
• ULS design and verification for reinforced concrete shallow foundations.
• Analysis and calculation of Composite Steel-Concrete Sections: Classification criteria for composite sections (Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4), calculation of the plastic bending capacity (with symmetric and asymmetric reinforcement), and definition of the effective width of the concrete slab.
Note on material flexibility: If the design project chosen within the architectural design studios involves the use of timber for specific parts or circumscribed sub-systems of the building (e.g., roof framing), the fundamental concepts of design and verification for timber elements will be briefly addressed.
3. STRUCTURAL DESIGN IN SEISMIC ZONES
• In-depth analysis of seismic action.
• Structural conception and criteria for sound structural design in seismic zones: regularity in plan and elevation, symmetry, stiffness distribution, and a holistic synthesis between the structural skeleton and the architectural space from the very earliest conceptual phases.
• Introduction to potential structural design strategies in seismic zones (elastic design, capacity/ductility design, base isolation, dissipative systems, Tuned Mass Dampers - TMD, etc.).
• Structural modeling in seismic zones and an advanced multi-hazard approach to structural robustness (redundancy mechanisms, force redistribution/re-routing pathways, and mitigation of progressive collapse risk under exceptional events).
• Building codes and standards for structural design (Technical Standards for Construction - NTC in Italy, Eurocodes in Europe, and international standards).
• Design of foundations.
4. PROJECT APPLICATION: STRUCTURAL DESIGN IN A SEISMIC ZONE
4.1. Design and verification of floors, slabs, and roofs:
• Selection of the structural typology (traditional cast-in-place hollow-brick and concrete slabs, composite slabs with steel decking, or potential lightweight timber framing for the roof only).
• Technical standards and codes for design and verification.
• Definition of the structural system (sectional geometries, layout, joist/beam orientation, etc.).
• Analysis of gravity loads and their combinations (seismic and non-seismic).
• Analytical and numerical modeling of the floor/roof system.
• ULS and SLS design and verification of the composite steel deck + concrete slab system.
• Construction detailing and mechanical connection systems in composite configurations.
• Structural design drawings and blueprints.
4.2. Design and verification of a structure (Reinforced Concrete, Steel, or Composite)
• Definition of the seismic action and evaluation of the global structural behavior (modal analysis).
• Analysis and combination of design loads.
• Definition of the structural system (moment-resisting frames, reinforced concrete shear walls, steel bracing systems).
• Technical codes for structural design (Italian NTC and Eurocodes).
• Analytical and numerical modeling using F.E.M. (Finite Element Method) software.
• Multidisciplinary synergy and building physics: Integration and interaction of the structural skeleton with infill walls and secondary elements (stairs, cantilevers), along with proactive coordination with architectural technology and building physics to preserve structural durability and avoid aesthetic or functional penalties.
• Design and verification of structural elements for seismic and non-seismic ULS and SLS (beams, slabs, plates, columns, walls, joints, and stairs) in reinforced concrete or steel, according to capacity design principles (hierarchy of resistances).
• Fundamentals of geotechnics: soil bearing capacity, sliding, and overturning verifications.
• Design and verification of shallow foundations (punching shear, flexural reinforcement).
• Design and verification of column-to-footing connections (base plate connections).
• Construction detailing (anchorages, lap splice lengths in reinforced concrete, bolted and welded connections in structural steelwork).
• Preparation of complete, detailed, and construction-ready structural design drawings.
5. METHODOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION CULTURE
• Seismic retrofitting or upgrading of existing structures (safety assessment and evaluation criteria).
• Sustainable structural design and LCA workflows: Environmental impact assessment of structures using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), criteria for the decarbonization of construction processes, and structural optimization methodologies aimed at minimizing widespread overdesign.
• Innovative construction techniques and technological transition: Integration into industrial workflows of modular prefabrication, industrialized construction, and new job-site paradigms related to emerging 3D concrete printing technologies to reduce logistical impacts and execution timelines.
• Structural systems using sustainable and bio-based materials: Analysis, modeling, and conception of structural systems made from ultra-low carbon materials, with a systemic focus on the potential of engineered mass timber modular structures and modern load-bearing applications of raw earth/unfired clay (rammed earth techniques, etc.).
• Structural Circular Design: Integrated application of Design for Adaptability (DfA) and Design for Disassembly (DfD) frameworks to promote selective dismantling, performance recovery of end-of-life components, the philosophy of Design for Reuse, and structural upcycling processes for future flexible urban environments.
Core Documentation
Quaderno aicap N.2 PROGETTO DI UN EDIFICIO IN C.A. CON E SENZA ISOLAMENTO SISMICO ALLA BASEaicap - Associazione Italiana Calcestruzzo Armato e Precompresso
DETTAGLI COSTRUTTIVI di STRUTTURE in CALCESTRUZZO ARMATO
aicap - Associazione Italiana Calcestruzzo Armato e Precompresso
PROGETTAZIONE DI STRUTTURE IN CALCESTRUZZO ARMATO
GUIDA ALL’USO dell’EUROCODICE 2 con riferimento alle Norme Tecniche D.M. 14.1.2008
aicap - Associazione Italiana Calcestruzzo Armato e Precompresso
PROGETTAZIONE SISMICA DI EDIFICI IN CALCESTRUZZO ARMATO
GUIDA ALL’USO dell’EUROCODICE 2 con riferimento alle Norme Tecniche D.M. 14.1.2008
aicap - Associazione Italiana Calcestruzzo Armato e Precompresso
Reference Bibliography
MINISTERO DELLE INFRASTRUTTURE E DEI TRASPORTI, DECRETO 17 gennaio 2018. Aggiornamento delle «Norme tecniche per le costruzioni». Supplemento ordinario alla Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 42 del 20 febbraio 2018 - Serie generale. MINISTERO DELLE INFRASTRUTTURE E DEI TRASPORTI, CIRCOLARE n. 7 del 21 gennaio 2019, pubblicata in Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 35/2019, con oggetto: Istruzioni per l’applicazione dell’aggiornamento delle norme tecniche per le costruzioni di cui al decreto ministeriale 17 gennaio 2018. EN 1998-1:2004 Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance – Part 1: General rules, seismic actions, and rules for buildings. CHOPRA, A. K. (1995). Dynamics of structures: theory and applications to earthquake engineering. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall. PAULAY, T, PRIESTLEY, M.J.N. (1992) Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Buildings, John Wiley and Sons, New York, USAAttendance
Attendance of at least 75% of the teaching activities is required in order to be eligible for the final assessment.Type of evaluation
EXAMINATION METHODS AND PROJECT PRESENTATION The examination aims to assess the students' ability to independently manage the design process, as well as to present and discuss their project with scientific rigor and intellectual maturity. Digital Submission (7 days prior to the exam date): Mandatory electronic submission of all produced materials, conceived as an integrated body of documentation that includes: Complete Design Drawings: Structural framing plans, sections, and comprehensive construction details (crucial reinforced concrete joints or structural steel connections) accompanied by the corresponding Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Serviceability Limit State (SLS) verifications. Critical Design Document: An in-depth report that justifies and argues the structural design choices in close relation to current technical regulations, integration with architectural design, sustainability, durability, and multidisciplinary coordination. This document synthesizes the re-elaboration of concepts from previous courses and the professional growth developed in the classroom. Oral Examination: An open discussion of the project during which candidates must demonstrate their ability to defend their technical choices and answer theoretical questions regarding seismic behavior and regulatory frameworks, proving a mature cultural and professional awareness.