At the origins of modern construction: early applications of reinforced concrete in floors designed by Italian corps of engineers

In the last three decades of the 19th century, in Italy the cement production started and grew. In these years cement was widely used for civil and military purposes. The officers of the Engineers Corps were active in the experimentation of new construction materials and used widely cement concrete (e.g. for the construction of fortifications and for barrack pre-cast decorations).