Il ruolo della progettazione strutturale in infrastrutture aeroportuali complesse: nuovo terminal a Rabat

In questo articolo presentiamo un’analisi completa della progettazione strutturale dei moderni terminal aeroportuali, sullo sfondo della globalizzazione e della crescente domanda di viaggi aerei. Nonostante le interruzioni legate alla pandemia, l’aumento del numero di passeggeri a livello globale continua, rendendo necessaria una rivalutazione delle infrastrutture aeroportuali. La nostra attenzione si concentra sulla complessa relazione tra innovazione architettonica e integrità strutturale nella progettazione dei terminal, esemplificata dal nuovo terminal dell’Aeroporto di Rabat, in Marocco. Attraverso un esame dettagliato di questo progetto, mettiamo in evidenza l’importanza fondamentale di soluzioni avanzate e di un’analisi approfondita per ottenere coerenza e funzionalità. L’integrazione tra architettura e struttura pone sfide significative, richiedendo competenza e innovazione per soddisfare le esigenze in evoluzione della popolazione globale di viaggiatori. Il nostro studio sottolinea il ruolo critico della qualità architettonica e dell’integrazione tecnologica nel plasmare il futuro dei terminal aeroportuali nel dinamico panorama dell’aviazione globale.

Airport terminals fall into the category of civil works that are quite widespread and therefore have a strong social and economic impact. The design commitment associated with them and their sensitivity to wind effects makes them one of the points of contact where research finds an immedi- ate outlet in design and/or technological application. These structures often present large roofs with considerable sensitivity to wind action due to the large, exposed surface area and low incidence of dead loads.

In this context, the national (and European) regulatory framework appears to be too meager and
inadequate for the importance and problems that this type of structure presents. Therefore, the uncertainties on the pressure coefficients to be assumed for the determination of the loads (mainly due to the particular shapes) make it indispensable, for a correct analysis, to resort to experimental tests in a wind tunnel.

Moreover, given the imposing architectural nature of the building and the emphasis on spatial freedom, unconventional design and construction choices were made. The size of the building, the slender columns, the extensive cantilevers, and other unique elements necessitated a comprehen- sive analysis. To ensure the overall stability of the building and accurately evaluate the capacity and role of each structural component, various types of models and analyses were employed. These comprehensive assessments allowed for a thorough understanding of the interactions that would occur within the structural system. It was crucial to guarantee the stability and integrity of the building under different loading conditions.

Building Characteristics

The structure of the new airport consists of a basement level at −6, 00 m mainly dedicated to lug- gage processing for a total underground area of 15430 m² with two access ramps of 6 m wide for the transport of luggage. The main floor at ground level, with an area approx 30600 m², is a surface mainly open to the roof. The later is supported by interior steel columns with varying height between 19 m and 36 m starting from the ground floor, as well as facade columns all along the perimeter. Inside the building there are two levels : a small one at +4, 00 m, and a larger one at +8, 50 m, mainly for boarding and commercial areas. The lower level is mainly suspended at the higher. Very few Columns shaped as the letter ”X” are used to stabilize laterally those levels.

The structural grid is of 24 m × 24 m and defines the layout of the main interior columns. Each one consists of 3 branches converging at around +8, 50 m and diverging again to meet the roof at 3 points. However, facade columns with and ”X” shape consists of 4 branches to support the curtain walls, these columns are spaced by 12 m. The main characteristic of the building is the imposing double curbed roof with very large cantilevers up to 36 m on the principal entrance.

...CONTINUA A LEGGERE NEL PDF IN ALLEGATO.

L'intera memoria è in lingua inglese.

La presente relazione è stata presentata in occasione del XXIX Congresso CTA, svoltosi a Milano il 26 e 27 settembre 2024.