Large Vaulted Structures and Prefabrication. The Case of Pier Luigi Nervi’s Hangar in Pontecagnano, Italy

Large-span roof implementation has long been a challenge for designers, who have had to overcome traditional structural engineering limits by introducing creative and innovative solutions. Pier Luigi Nervi revolutionized architecture and engineering with his prefabrication and construction techniques, inspiring professionals globally to explore new materials and solutions. His unique use of reinforced concrete in large-span roofs construction involved prefabricating structural elements and assembling them on-site, leading to faster and more efficient construction. The present research aims to analyse the construction procedures employed for the realisation of the Hangar designed by Nervi in 1939 in Pontecagnano, Italy. By examining original drawings and technical specifications, this research seeks to examine the structural solutions employed in this masterpiece of 20th-century architecture, showcasing Nervi’s pioneering work in structural prefabrication and large vaulted structures.