Structural rehabilitation of the RAI Steel building (Skyscraper) in Turin.

In modern times high-rise buildings or “sky-scrapers” are an optimal solution for saving space by occupying space vertically. However, this solution has existed in the developed world for over a century. The same is known for Italy, which is known for its historic infrastructure. Many structures that stand today were constructed with old design standards and codes. Which makes them prone to Lateral loads such as wind and Earthquakes due to insufficient detailing, deterioration of material with time etc. To avoid such a catastrophe, an intervention becomes inevitable, where an evaluation of structural capacity and required retrofitting interventions are done. This Thesis studies a High-rise building in Torino called ‘RAI SKYSCRAPER’, an 18-floor high building near porta-Susa, where we investigate its structural drawings to draw and analyze structural modal, for its evaluation and verification of the structural safety. Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis FEM software was used for modelling and analysing the building. Since Turin is a low seismic zone, the analysis emphasized wind forces. Two models were analyzed, one with modelled foundation and the other with rigid supports. The results that were obtained were compared and a prototype experiment was conducted for checking the outcome of a possible intervention on the core walls of the building. The ‘RAI SKYSCRAPER’ which is unfortunately close due to its use of ASBESTOS- a Fire-resistant that is now known for health hazards- stands perfectly well during its reclamation issues. With all the information provided, despite its detailed and meticulous structural drawings, many missing Members were assumed during the modelling. The level of knowledge lacks proper and clear information and understanding of the connections of beam and column in many places. A comprehensive survey would reveal more details that would be required to precisely assess the building to possibly intervene if necessary to Retrofit one of the iconic buildings of the city of Turin.