Design of Italian RC precast structures according to the new generation of Eurocode 8

Seismic codes and regulations are constantly updated to keep up with the ever-increasing knowledge achieved by the scientific and professional community. This allows for higher reliability for facilities and infrastructures against the related hazard, reducing economic loss and human life threats. In recent years, European experts in seismic engineering have made great efforts to draft a second generation of European regulations in this field. Substantial innovations and significant changes have been introduced concerning the design and assessment of structures. The main aim of the work presented in the paper was to evaluate the design procedure and prescriptions proposed by the new generation of Eurocode 8. They were compared with the requirements of current European (Eurocode 8, 2005) and Italian (NTC, 2018) codes. In particular, the focus was on reinforced concrete precast buildings, an increasingly widespread structural typology. With this scope, an Italian structure resembling the typical characteristics of National industrial buildings is considered a case study and designed according to the new and current generation of Eurocode 8 and Italian codes. The paper provides a practical example for applying the seismic regulations of the second generation of Eurocode 8 for RC precast structures, serving as a template for those who deal with this kind of buildings. Useful insights and considerations are drawn for all the design steps, highlighting similarities and differences concerning the current European and Italian codes.