OVERVIEW

The course on TECNICA DELLE COSTRUZIONI aims to present the fundamental principles of structural safety of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, focusing on different methodological approaches for their calculation. The main physical and mechanical properties of structural concrete and reinforcing steel will be introduced. Elastic calculation approaches for the serviceability limit state of RC structures will be presented, with a significant portion dedicated to the study of ultimate limit state conditions. Additionally, degradation phenomena and durability will be discussed, covering their main causes and considerations in the design phase. Students will undertake design projects involving simple cases such as a reinforced concrete slab, a series of continuous beams, and a base pillar.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The educational objectives of the course Tecnica delle Costruzioni include learning theories, techniques and calculation methodologies for the design of reinforced concrete construction. Students will develop technical and scientific skills in structural design, focusing on structural safety and durability of RC structures.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course of Tecnica delle Costruzioni aims to achieve a series of detailed educational objectives that will provide students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary for the structural design of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings.

Students will be able to demonstrate the following skills and knowledge:

• Understand the Principles of Structural Safety;
• Know the Properties of Construction Materials;
• Develop Structural Design Skills;
• Learn to design reinforced concrete structures following the criteria of serviceability and ultimate limit states;
• Address Structural Degradation and Durability;
• Design Simple Structures such as composite concrete floors, continuous beams, and columns.

PREREQUISITES

To successfully follow the course of Tecnica delle Costruzioni, students must have a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in several key areas, acquired in previous modules, including a strong background in mathematics, statics, and structural mechanics.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal Lectures: conducted to provide a theoretical foundation on the main topics. Lectures include theoretical explanations, practical examples, and in-depth case studies.

Use of PCs and Software: Students become acquainted with specific software used in the construction sector, such as structural modeling programs (e.g., finite element analysis software) and structural calculation software. Practical lessons may focus on using these tools for structural design and analysis. Throughout the course, Excel spreadsheets, FTOOL, and VCASLU are used.

Design RC project: A crucial component of the course involves the completion of an individual RC design project. Students have the opportunity to apply all acquired skills to solve a real or simulated structural design problem under the supervision of the instructor.

Students who have a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the teacher and with the Department of Architecture and Design's disability referent (https://architettura.unige.it/commissioni_e_referenti_dipartimento).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

BASIC COURSE IN REINFORCED CONCRETE + DESIGN PROJECT

1st LESSON

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION

2nd LESSON

TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF CONCRETE

1. Residential buildings in R.C.: Structural elements that characterize them
   • Foundations
   • Beams
   • Columns
   • Slabs
   • Stairs
   • Balconies
2. Historical cementitious conglomerate:
   • Emergence
   • Regulatory framework
   • Verification methods
3. Introduction to FTOOLS

3rd LESSON

STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY

Probabilistic approach Limit States: SLS and ULS Load combinations at SLS and ULS Snow Wind DESIGN PROJECT PART 1

Slab preliminary design Load analysis Stresses

4th LESSON

DURABILITY OF CONCRETE

Degradation and major pathologies Exposure classes DESIGN PROJECT PART 2

Beam preliminary design Load analysis Stresses

5th LESSON

MATERIALS

Concrete:

• Behavior under compression
• Behavior under tension Reinforcing steel:
• Behavior under tension
• Behavior under compression Steel/concrete bond DESIGN PROJECT PART 3

Pillar preliminary design Load analysis Stresses

6th LESSON (Part I)

ELASTIC CALCULATION AT ULS

Review of ULS Materials and calculation assumptions Calculation of stresses under service conditions Verification of sections subjected to:

• Compression
• Tension
• Simple bending Various exercises

7th LESSON (Part II)

Exercise

8th LESSON

ULS FOR BENDING AND COMPRESSION-FLEXURE [Part I]

Constitutive bonds of concrete Constitutive bond of steel Sections subjected to normal stresses [calculation assumptions] Evaluation of the flexed section:

• Single reinforcement
• Double reinforcement Quantitative limits of reinforcements

9th LESSON

ULS FOR BENDING AND COMPRESSION-FLEXURE [Part II]

Bent section with steel Compression-flexure section Simplified construction of the straight compression-flexure domains on sections with symmetric reinforcement Section with non-symmetric double reinforcement

10th LESSON

SLS and ULS EXERCISE: "Written exam simulation"

DESIGN PROJECT PART 4-1

Design of a lateral-cementitious slab:

• Longitudinal reinforcement design
• Verification

11th LESSON

ULS FOR SHEAR

Elastic treatment Unreinforced shear beams REVIEW OF DESIGN PROJECTS / EXERCISES

DESIGN PROJECT PART 4-2

Design of a lateral-cementitious slab:

• Shear verification

12th LESSON

DESIGN PROJECT PART 5 - i

Design of a line of beams (T1):

• Longitudinal reinforcement design and verification

DESIGN PROJECT PART 6

Design of pillar P1:

• Reinforcement design and verification

13th LESSON

ULS FOR SHEAR

Shear reinforced beams Ritter-Mörsch mechanism Variable inclination mechanism Section verification Reinforcement design DESIGN PROJECT PART 5 - ii

Design of a line of beams (T1):

• Transverse shear reinforcement design and verification

14th LESSON

REVIEW OF DESIGN PROJECTS / EXERCISES

15th LESSON

REVIEW OF DESIGN PROJECTS / EXERCISES

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reference bibliography

E. Cosenza, G. Manfredi, M. Pecce, Strutture in cemento armato. Basi della progettazione, Milano, 2019

Norme Tecniche delle Costruzioni 2018 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANTONIO CAGGIANO (President)

CHIARA CALDERINI

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

STEP 1:

a. Approval of the design project (valid for up to 2 academic years, e.g., project approved in June 2023: valid until May 31, 2024), or

b. Passing the written exam (valid for up to 2 academic years, e.g., exam passed in June 2022: valid until May 31, 2024).

STEP 2:

Oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Regarding the assessment methods for the course of Tecnica delle Costruzioni, students' competency evaluation will be conducted as follows:

1. Design Project Evaluation: Students are primarily assessed based on the design project they have developed during the course.

2. Theoretical Questions: The exam may include a section dedicated to theoretical questions, covering fundamental topics discussed in the frontal lectures.

Exam schedule