Survey, experimental tests and mechanical modelling of the dome of Pisa Cathedral: a multidisciplinary study
by Stefano Bennati; Danila Aita; Riccardo Barsotti; Gabriella Caroti; Giuseppe Chellini; Andrea Piemonte; Francesco Barsi; Caterina Traverso
International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation (IJMRI), Vol. 5, No. 1, 2020

Abstract: The present contribution illustrates the results obtained to date on an ongoing research study of the mechanical response and load capacity of the dome of Pisa Cathedral. A well-known feature of structural modelling is that it requires reliable data on the actual shape and material properties of the structure in question. Moreover, a comprehensive account of relevant historical and architectural aspects is needed as well. Hence, the starting point of our research work consisted of high-density, precision surveys. Both range-based (laser scanning) and image-based (3D photogrammetry) survey methodologies have been used to obtain different structural models. Furthermore, a set of experimental tests has been performed to evaluate the constituent masonry's properties. From the mechanical point of view, the research has focused mainly on structural analysis of the dome subject to vertical dead loads. The dome's mechanical behaviour is described by means of both analytical and numerical analyses. The results obtained via these different methods are discussed.

Online publication date: Tue, 04-Feb-2020

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation (IJMRI):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com