Graphical and Analytical Quantitative Comparison in the Domes Assessment: The Case of San Francesco di Paola

Abstract

(1) Methods for checking the condition of monumental masonry structures can still be considered understudied. Among the different approaches available in the literature, the graphical ones have a special role, due to their simplicity and effectiveness. (2) In this work, a 2D method (Thrust Line Analysis (TLA)), the Modified Thrust Line Method (MTLM), and the 3D Membrane Equilibrium Analysis (MEA) method are compared. All methods have the same starting concept: no tensile strength, no sliding between the stone blocks, infinite compressive strength. (3) The methods are compared in terms of stress distribution (for the same—or similar—thrust line), and in terms of the Geometrical Safety Factor ensured. (4) The work shows that these theories, if properly conveyed in a scientific methodology (as many authors are doing currently and have done in the past) demonstrate the effectiveness and the advantages of graphical methods for simple structures.

La escalera de ojo abierto del Palacio Di Majo en Nápoles entre geometría y equilibrio

“…The method applied in this paper is the so-called membrane equilibrium analysis (MEA), originated in the paper on vaults (27) and further developed in (28). MEA is a general tool for computing the stress field on curved membrane surfaces (41), and it has also been adopted recently by the authors to assess the equilibrium of masonry domes (32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46). In the present work, we essentially used the ideas put forward in (33,47), by applying the method to open-well staircases, treated as cloister masonry vaults.…”

Masonry Spiral Stairs: A Comparison between Analytical and Numerical Approaches

“…Structural analysis of masonry constructions can generally involve two alternative approaches: equilibrium-based methods and deformation-based methods. The complexity and appropriateness of each procedure is related to the peculiarity of masonry material, which exhibits an high strength under compression compared to its weak strength under tension, unilateral contact and friction, in-homogeneity, and anisotropy due to the presence of joints [33,34]. In order to illustrate the equations that will be used in Section 3.2 and the parameters that will be employed in the discussion of the results, in this Section the basic elements of the Linear Arch Static Analysis (LASA) are presented in some detail.…”

Strengthening techniques for masonry domes: A review

“…Extensive investigations have been carried out to determine the structural safety of historical masonry domes using theoretical and experimental methods in the literature. Theoretical and experimental investigations implemented on the historical masonry domes can be summarized as follows: (i) theoretical studies under static loads , 1,9,11,13,22–60 (ii) theoretical studies under dynamic loads , 8,61–65 (iii) model tests in laboratory , 66–70 (iv) in situ tests . 71–78…”