Recent developments in the Italian technical rules for dams and barrages

Abstract

The paper describes the Italian technical regulations for dams and barrages issued in 2014 by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, where substantial changes in the existing rules are introduced by suggesting a design approach based on the semi-probabilistic method at limit states.  The paper highlights the most innovative aspects as well as the critical issues, suggests some improvements and underlines the need for further updating of the legislation.