Analysis of the “Casa dello Studente” collapse during the L’Aquila 6th April 2009 earthquake

The partial collapse of a seven-story RC building with two underground levels, occurring during the April 6 2009 earthquake of L’Aquila (Italy), is analyzed with a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach taking into account all the possible significant factors. Attention is paid to the building history – from 1965 to 2009 – crossing transfers of ownership, refurbishment works and different code regulations; to the quality of the in situ cast material; to the ground motion actually experienced on the site. The comparative analysis between the original design and the picture of the collapse as visible immediately after the earthquake has allowed the explanation of the chain of events leading to the collapse itself. Additional data on material properties and ground motion, together with numerical modelling and analysis, led to the determination of the collapse causes.