Designing CFS structures: The new school bfs in naples

• This paper focuses on the description of the structural design and main execution phases of the new BFS school complex in Naples.
• The large part of the BFS school complex is made of CFS profiles braced with structural wood-based sheathing panels (sheathed stick built buildings).
• The structural design was performed according to the Italian construction technical code, which is very similar to the EN 1993 – Part 1.3 regarding the CFS profiles and sheets.
• The attention is focused on the structural design of sheathed stick-built CFS buildings, with main regard to the seismic response.
• Information about actual work time schedule and amount of different materials and products used for the construction are presented.
• The new school BFS undoubtedly represents a case study of great relevance for size and design solutions, especially with reference to Italian construction market.

The design solutions for the new “Foundation and Primary School” on behalf of the British Force School (BFS) of NATO in Naples are of great interest within the national construction sector. From the structural point of view, the adoption of a stick-built system made of cold-formed steel walls braced by wood-based sheathing panels appears to best satisfy the high safety, durability and eco-efficiency standards of the client. The end result is a school complex covering an area in the region of about 3000 m2, each element of which reflects the integrated and coordinated work of the designers and technicians, from the conceptual design to the execution phase.