Earthquake-resistant construction techniques in Italy between 1880 and 1910: alternatives to reinforced concrete

The series of earthquakes that struck Italy between the late nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth century spurred a lively debate about earthquake-resistant buildings that, through the influence of foreign experience, resulted in specialised literature and competitions that gave rise to a series of interesting patents. Innovative construction solutions for seismic areas were largely developed after the earthquake that struck the cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria in 1908, alongside the parallel advances in reinforced concrete. New earthquake-resistant construction solutions were based on a reassessment of traditional construction methods that used bricks, timber or metal, and in some cases they were combined with recently introduced materials such as expanded metal mesh. The aim of this paper, which is based on a historical-critical research of specialised literature, design competitions and patents (filed at the State Central Archive headquartered in Rome), is to highlight the advances made in Italy in the field of earthquake-resistant construction systems as alternatives to reinforced concrete technology.