A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The Mechanics of Gothic Masonry Arches
The masonry pointed arch, largely used in Gothic architecture, is known to have lower horizontal thrust than the circular arch. While this fact is widely acknowledged, the structural behavior of the pointed arch has not been researched in sufficient detail. This article compares the circular and the pointed arch, evaluating the maximum and minimum thrusts, analyzing the collapse due to support displacement and assessing the maximum capacity for concentrated loads for a range of arch geometries. Graphical and numerical analyses were performed in order to predict failure as the supports are displaced. An extensive experimental campaign on model arches has been carried out and compared to the theoretical results. The article provides new conclusions about the behavior of the pointed arch and the conditions necessary for collapse to occur.
The Mechanics of Gothic Masonry Arches
The masonry pointed arch, largely used in Gothic architecture, is known to have lower horizontal thrust than the circular arch. While this fact is widely acknowledged, the structural behavior of the pointed arch has not been researched in sufficient detail. This article compares the circular and the pointed arch, evaluating the maximum and minimum thrusts, analyzing the collapse due to support displacement and assessing the maximum capacity for concentrated loads for a range of arch geometries. Graphical and numerical analyses were performed in order to predict failure as the supports are displaced. An extensive experimental campaign on model arches has been carried out and compared to the theoretical results. The article provides new conclusions about the behavior of the pointed arch and the conditions necessary for collapse to occur.
The Mechanics of Gothic Masonry Arches
Romano, Alessandra (author) / Ochsendorf, John A. (author)
International Journal of Architectural Heritage ; 4 ; 59-82
2010-01-01
24 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Collapse of masonry arches in Romanesque and Gothic constructions
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