1,721,034 research outputs found
fieldwork material, June 2022
No full textThe extensive damage of cathedrals and major churches in the North of France during the Great War reflects the dramatic and blind destruction of urban and rural architecture and landscapes in the area. Their reconstruction was a systematic endeavour that was driven by state care and followed different priorities and timescale (1919-38) than the civil sector, while the technology used showed a variety of responses to contemporary practice. The restorers’ priorities were often conditioned by the need to accommodate worship as the survivors were rebuilding their lives. The extensive reconstructions in the major churches of Soissons, Noyon, Reims and St-Quentin ranged from faithful reproductions of the walls and vaults in dressed stonework to new roof trusses in concrete, and in most cases the execution is durable and of high quality. A detailed outline of the process is discussed in two cases where reconstructions were partial and focused on vaults, the cathedral of Soissons and Notre-Dame of Noyon. The research is based on archives of the works and literature on the subject in French, and aims to highlight the technical dimension of that unique endeavour in a literature that focuses more on the cultural dimensions of the destruction and reconstruction. The dataset contains photos from a visit to Noyon and its cathedral on 2 June 2022.photos from site visit
journal paper on subject (author's draft)
view of the RC roofs
the project as documented at the MPP archives
other reference
Videos from the model construction and the tests in February 2020
No full textConstruction and testing of the second phase of the project. A scale model of a 2m x 2m groin vault made of 3D printed and mortar filled plastic blocks was tested at the EQUALS laboratory in Bristol (February 2020). Videos included from significant tests showing collapse. Tests vary according to confinment (largely configuration 2) and excitation. All videos correspond to the list of tests in Table A1 of this paper: Silvestri S, Baraccani S et al 2021. Shaking table testing of groin vaults made by 3D printers. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, vol 150, November 2021, 106880 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026772612100302
The effects of in-plane shear displacements at the springings of Gothic cross vaults
Full text linkExtensive damages recorded during recent strong Italian earthquakes highlighted how vulnerable masonry vaults are and what deformations they receive from the rest of the building, which can be simulated as two phenomena: (i) a dynamic response of the vault itself, above the lateral walls and piers, and (ii) a pseudo-static response of the vault to imposed displacements at its springings, triggered by significant movement from the lateral walls and piers. This paper aims at improving knowledge in this field by simulating the first of these phenomena as static shear deformation at the springings. An experimental programme was set on a model of a typical quadripartite square Gothic cross vault (from the aisle of the Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh). The test on a 1:4 scaled model had the shear displacement applied by moving two abutments in the longitudinal sense until failure, recording the crack pattern evolution and displacements of the ridges, identifying the diagonal cracks normal to the shear displacement that cause the damage and collapse in the vault. The crack pattern was validated with linear and non-linear numerical models, confirming particular observations like the uplift of the ridges and concentration of damage along the notional shear diagonal. Non-linear models are capable of capturing not only the crack pattern evolution, but also the vertical and horizontal displacements of the structure
Pseudo-static response of masonry cross vaults to imposed shear displacements at the springings
No full textThe static and dynamic performances of historical masonry churches are closely related to the behaviour of each substructure, as well as to the mechanical properties of the constituent materials. Information on damage location and extent, collected after recent violent Italian earthquakes, highlighted that masonry vaults are among the most vulnerable elements. The investigation of their dynamic behaviour under earthquake excitation (stress and deformation states) is a fundamental issue for effective structural interventions. During an earthquake ground motion, cross vaults are basically subjected to two phenomena: (i) the "shaking"/dynamic response of the vault system itself, vibrating above the lateral walls and piers, and (ii) the response of the vault to imposed displacements at its springings, accommodating the significant movements of the lateral walls and piers. Within this context, this paper aims at improving the knowledge of the structural behaviour of cross vaults under static shear deformation at the springings, by means of an experimental test representative of a Gothic cross vault from the aisle of the Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh (UK). The experimental test was performed on a 1:4 scaled specimen built with timber and lime mortar. The shear displacement was applied by moving two abutments until failure. The deformation of the vault was recorded in space with a Total Station. The results of the tests are reported in this paper in terms of crack pattern evolution, vertical displacements of the transverse ridge, identifying the shear displacement levels corresponding to significant damages in the vault
Aspects of transfer of Gothic masonry vaulting technology to Greece in the case of Saint Sophia in Andravida
No full textThe Frankish Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Andravida, in Elis, Greece was an emblematic construction of the crusaders Princes of Achaia that used cross vaults in a manner not attempted before in a territory dominated by Byzantine architecture. Analysis of the construction and structural behaviour shows careful application of rather archaic vaulting techniques and patterns. A key question is how such schemes and technology were transferred into a politically and culturally foreign, almost hostile environment. Comparison with contemporary developments in Byzantine architecture shows research into the spatial role and structural efficiency of vaults and domes but not similar to the gradual disintegration of the envelope in Gothic architecture. It is therefore important to identify the role of patrons and masons in the design of the church. Study of the construction and structural performance using Finite Element analysis showed a well executed conservative design with limited direct input from local practices
Conservation of stone-roofs: Challenges and the effect of new Techniques
Full text linkStone-roofing has a great history which spans many millennia BC which witnessed a lot of
development to roofing systems and geometry regarding the area and type of building
demands. Therefore, this paper discusses this structural element, presents its history and
development as well as highlighting the famous achievements in constructional systems.
Also, the study focuses on vault roofs, studies their behaviour as well as the main problems
and failures which lead to many types of collapse they had. The structural study intersects
with a theoretical review for the conservation achievements and techniques applied to the
stone vaults as well as the modern techniques after introducing the computer programs and
laboratory experiments to this field. Finally, the study will classify some new techniques
which can be applied in order to get rid of common structural problems in stone vaults
Case study:the Medieval Town of Rhodes
Full text linkOver the years, buildings made by stone and other porous materials suffer physical and chemical damages through absorbing water while exposed to weathering. Deterioration then occurs due to various intrinsic and extrinsic factors and urban environmental damage is very extensive, altering material’s form. A representative
example of such case is the Medieval Town of Rhodes which suffers from loss of its aesthetic value owing to the disintegration of its building materials with extended
architectural surfaces deteriorating from salt erosion and grain detachment. Today, the Rhodian sandstone shows intense damage in most buildings through alveolar
weathering and coordinated actions are needed for its preservation.
This paper highlights the need for a new conservation management plan based specific for Rhodes. The new conservation strategy should focus on the planning process of preservation of cultural heritage but also on a precise characterisation and mapping of decay
patterns with an innovative approach to identify, describe and classify conservation problems. The physical and chemical properties of the building materials used within
the conservation area of Rhodes are firstly investigated. A representative range of historic buildings are documented and studied to identify the common damages and
propose either traditional or innovative consolidation treatments according to an extended literature review. This research gives an overview of a suitable method to assess deterioration patterns of stone and mortar.
Discussing organic and inorganic consolidating products traditionally used to regain the mechanical properties of decayed materials, will produce the basis for a cohesive conservation plan for the historic fabric of Rhodes. Many innovative techniques from other countries have been studied in depth to discuss solutions for the building fabric of Rhodes and finally a cohesive conservation management is proposed
A study of the thermal improvement methods employed on traditional building fabric: Specific to traditional Scottish stone walls and slate roofs
Full text linkThe energy efficiency of traditional buildings has become increasingly important in the design and construction industry over the past forty years or so. Instigated initially by the oil crisis in the seventies, when it became apparent that many existing buildings were consuming far too much fuel, it has been furthered since then with significant research into energy consumption. The conservation of traditional buildings is inherently sustainable. The building is already constructed, often of natural materials such as stone or wood, and in most cases still has considerable life left in it. Its impact on energy resource consumption in terms of construction has passed. A traditional building, which retains its built fabric when adapted or reused, is considered to have low embodied energy.
In order to maintain and further this inherent sustainability, the buildings operational energy use should be improved upon. There is a common misconception that traditional buildings cannot be energy efficient ones. It is imperative that we dispel this notion as it is usually founded on an inability to understand how a traditional building works. However when it comes to altering the building fabric to improve it, conflicts can arise between the significance of the fabric in historic or architectural terms, and its ability to function as an energy efficient piece of construction. Modifications should not be to the detriment of the existing fabric, but improvements must be explored, to ensure these buildings continue to be used and continue to be sustainable
Preserving Scotland's obscure romantic ruins
No full textWhile Romanticism and the never-ending, evolving debate of conservation versus restoration certainly both have a part to play in the preservation concerns of ruinous Scottish castles, the present work will propose a more rationalistic and technically-based point of view. Research and on-site surveys show that derelict castles have been excavated, consolidated, and put on display through previous maintenance-works and restorations. The use of technology, evolving over time, has thus enabled dilapidated castles to come through the ages in various states of preservation. An analysis of said techniques, deformations, decay mechanisms, and the currently visible weathering, will offer leads on what defects occur in ruinous castles exposed to the highly changeable Scottish weather; further analysis on which conservation-works have previously been used to slow down and/or freeze the weathering of said ruins, as well as the effects of the technology used in said conservations. These factors all affect our understanding and appreciation of a ruin’s character
Neoclassical Residences in Athens: Why a burden for the owners?
Full text linkAthens is among the cities with paramount history in neoclassical architecture. During the 19th century, after the establishment of the Greek State and the declaration of a new capital, Athens was equipped promptly with a vast number of small and medium scale neoclassical dwellings, accommodating the new residents. The image of the city changed radically and neoclassicism predominated till the beginning of the 20th century
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