Damage in Gothic cathedrals can occur due to single extreme events or long term processes, often associated to large deformations and cracking. This paper, presents the damage survey and structural assessment of a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the oldest, most visited and most known Christian temples in the UK: Canterbury Cathedral, in Kent. Inspection and damage survey showed repetitive crack patterns on the vault's intrados, with more severity in the south aisle, including namely outward rotating movement and cracking in the south flying buttresses. Ambient vibration tests were carried out to identify the structure modal properties. A FE model of a typical transversal section of the nave and lateral aisles was prepared, and calibrated based on the tests. Nonlinear static analyses were performed, considering the main parameters of influence to the structure, as the construction process, the infill volume, the presence of lateral thrusts from the nave's roof and differential settlements. A validated FE model, presenting sufficient correlation with the existing damage was used to determine the safety factors for lateral and vertical loading, which according to the local hazard are considered adequate. A comparison with limit analysis, based in the static approach, was also carried out.
Heritage in Mexico is endangered due to exposure to major hazard events and lack of maintenance. The level of knowledge necessary to evaluate structural behavior of historic buildings is generally low, mainly regarding the parameters such as mechanical properties. San Agustin church is one of the most important historical buildings in Morelia City, Mexico. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of the San Agustin church was performed, including a damage survey and dynamic identification tests. Based on the diagnosis, a 3D finite element model with solid elements was developed and calibrated. Then, a seismic assessment was carried out using pushover analysis. The findings about the damage obtained from the numerical analysis is consistent with the actual condition of the church. Finally, a partial model was developed to evaluate the performance of the nave barrel vault strengthened with an extrados masonry arch and a layer of carbon fabricreinforced cementitious matrix, an intervention that substantially increased the horizontal load capacity.
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