A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The combination of tile vaults with reinforcement and concrete
Tile vaults are unreinforced masonry structures made of thin bricks (tiles) and fast-setting mortar that can be constructed needing only formwork along their boundaries, making them inherently economic. Their slenderness and finishing make them also efficient and expressive.
These qualities of tile vaulting can be enhanced by combining it with concrete and/or reinforcement. A top layer of concrete reduces time and labour, whereas reinforcement can reduce the thickness, allows the construction in seismic areas and opens the formal possibilities of tile-vaulted construction beyond compression only. A few architects and engineers, such as Guastavino, Gaudí, Le Corbusier, and Torroja, among others, envisioned some of these qualities and used these combinations in their buildings.
This article reviews the unique examples of tile vaulting combined with concrete and/or reinforcement in the past, showing their successful results and giving an overview of how their authors faced the structural analysis and design.
The combination of tile vaults with reinforcement and concrete
Tile vaults are unreinforced masonry structures made of thin bricks (tiles) and fast-setting mortar that can be constructed needing only formwork along their boundaries, making them inherently economic. Their slenderness and finishing make them also efficient and expressive.
These qualities of tile vaulting can be enhanced by combining it with concrete and/or reinforcement. A top layer of concrete reduces time and labour, whereas reinforcement can reduce the thickness, allows the construction in seismic areas and opens the formal possibilities of tile-vaulted construction beyond compression only. A few architects and engineers, such as Guastavino, Gaudí, Le Corbusier, and Torroja, among others, envisioned some of these qualities and used these combinations in their buildings.
This article reviews the unique examples of tile vaulting combined with concrete and/or reinforcement in the past, showing their successful results and giving an overview of how their authors faced the structural analysis and design.
The combination of tile vaults with reinforcement and concrete
López López, David (author) / Van Mele, Tom (author) / Block, Philippe (author)
International Journal of Architectural Heritage ; 13 ; 782-798
2019-08-18
17 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Catalan , composite , concrete , shells , formwork , Guastavino , reinforcement , tile vault , timbrel
Small Thickness Brick Vaults. Experimental Study of Single-Leaf and Lined Alentejo Tile Vaults
| Springer Verlag | 2024
The Guastavinos and tile vaults in North America
| Online Contents | 2005
Digital Setting Out Techniques for Tile Vaults Without Formwork
| Springer Verlag | 2022