Some Results On The Strength Evaluation Of Vaulted Masonry Structures

Abstract

Within the framework of the studies on masonry structures that use the notension model for the masonry material, the paper aims to analyze the strength of some vaulted masonry structures, very frequent in the context of historical buildings. The analysis has been first focused to the case of the vertical loads, examining both the possibility of symmetric and non symmetric collapse mechanism. The effect of increasing horizontal forces has been then analyzed. Some useful results have been obtained particularly in the case of the circular and the pointed arch with abutment piers.