Stadio Artemio Franchi is currently undergoing modernisation, which also includes the implementation of anti-seismic systems. This is a necessary decision in view of changes in the seismic classification of the region and the degradation of construction materials.

Renovation of Franchi and engineering challenges

Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, designed by the legendary engineer Pier Luigi Nervi, is not only a sports facility but also a valuable architectural gem. The decision to renovate it, made by the city, which owns the facility, is primarily aimed at bringing the structure up to modern safety standards, including the introduction of anti-seismic systems.

Gianpiero Porquier, coordinator of the Civil Protection Commission of the Order of Engineers in Florence, emphasised in an official statement that anti-seismic systems were not provided for in Nervi's original design. When the stadium was built, Florence was not yet in a seismic zone – it was only classified as such on July 1, 1982. The preliminary study by the School of Engineering suggested that the best solution would be to preserve the existing connections and extend them by using seismic dampers, given the good condition of the structure for almost a century.

The final design opted for a variant in which some of the connections are solidified and mobile hydraulic equipment such as shock transducers are used. This change will affect the overall behaviour of the structure during earthquakes, improving the seismic coefficient from 0.35 to 0.6. This value is in line with the permissible standards for historical and school buildings, making the Franchi Stadium safer against potential shocks.

© ACF Fiorentina

Decisions regarding renovation and structural problems

The modernisation measures were based on studies carried out by the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, commissioned by the municipality of Florence as early as 2017. The results, presented in 2023, made it possible to define priorities in terms of structural safety. Based on these analyses, Palazzo Vecchio announced a competition for the redevelopment of the stadium and its surroundings. The winner was Arup Italia srl, which was commissioned in 2024 to carry out the detailed design, including seismic improvements for the monumental structure.

The renovation of the stadium had to solve several key structural problems. These include the degradation of reinforced concrete caused by carbonation and the effects of chlorides, which have led to a weakening of the surface and structure. The shorter and squatter pillars around the perimeter of the pitch, which require additional reinforcement, have proven to be particularly critical.

© ACF Fiorentina