Shear Assessment of R.C. Structures of the XX Century

Modern buildings have been characterized by the rapid spread of reinforced concrete as a novel and versatile building material. Within the assessment of existing buildings, the most critical structures in terms of shear resistance are those designed in the first half of the last century, when the theory of reinforced concrete and the detailing rules were not well established yet. This study considers the issues related to the gradual understanding of the shear behaviour, with particular reference to the buildings realized in Bari (Italy) in the period 1920-1960, and aims at emphasizing the vulnerability at a territorial scale of structural typologies designed only to vertical loads. Subsequently, the shear resistance verification of the structural elements of a typical frame of the stadium “Della Vittoria” (in Bari) is investigated according to the new Italian code (D.M. 14/1/2008), the new American code (ACI 318-08) and a recent method proposed in literature (Arslan’s equation). The results are compared with those included in the original calculation report (written according to R.D.L. 18/7/1930 decree). Finally, the study winds up with a detailed comment on the lack of compliance with the “capacity design” philosophy.