The ribbed floor slab systems of pier luigi nervi

Allison B. Halpern, David P. Billington, Sigrid M. Adriaenssens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents an historical and analytical evaluation of the ribbed floor slab systems developed by the Italian structural artist Pier Luigi Nervi (1891-1979). The historical discussion includes the evolution of the floor slab from a non-structural element to an inspired structural system, culminating in Nervi's patented ribbed floor systems. While the isostatic inspiration for the rib patterns of Nervi's floor systems is well-documented, the method used to generate these patterns is considerably unknown by comparison. The methods of experimental stress analysis identified by Nervi and the mathematical theories available prior to the 1949 isostatic floor system patent are discussed to clarify the means used to generate the isostatics. An Isostatic Line Tool developed for this paper is used to evaluate the correlation between the isostatics and Nervi's arrangement of ribs for the Gatti Wool Factory, Palace of Labor, and Large Sports Palace floor systems. This tool can be used by designers in the conceptual design phase to develop ribbed floor systems inspired by Nervi.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)127-136
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures
Volume54
Issue number176-177
StatePublished - Sep 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Mechanical Engineering

Keywords

  • Computational tool
  • Floor systems
  • Isostatics
  • Nervi
  • Ribbed slabs

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The ribbed floor slab systems of pier luigi nervi'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this