Robustness and Reduced Bracing Condition of Tent-Structures: The Case Study of Campus Einaudi

The premises for Law and Political Science faculties are an important milestone in the building programme of the University of Turin. Not far from the historical seat of the University, the Luigi Einaudi Campus has transformed an abandoned industrial area into a new cultural forum for the city. The geometric complexity of the layout, which originates from the free volumes designed by Foster + Partners, has led to a sophisticated internal spatial differentiation and to innovative solutions developed to give formal unity due to the roof solution. The system of the light-weight tent structures of the roof is characterized by fifty-two reticulated arches anchored at the reinforced concrete slabs on the top of each architectural volumes. The arches are topped by waterproof teflon-coated fiberglass membrane with high mechanical strength and stability against weathering. In this paper, a study of some most representative portions of the structure is proposed considering the influence of connection stiffness reductions. In particular, the robustness under conditions of reduced bracing and various stiffness configurations of the steel nodes of the interconnected arches is an evident problem to be assessed in these kinds of buildings.