Title: Survey, experimental tests and mechanical modelling of the dome of Pisa Cathedral: a multidisciplinary study

Authors: Stefano Bennati; Danila Aita; Riccardo Barsotti; Gabriella Caroti; Giuseppe Chellini; Andrea Piemonte; Francesco Barsi; Caterina Traverso

Addresses: Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy ' Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy ' Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy ' Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy ' Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy ' Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy ' Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy ' Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy

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.

Keywords: dome; structural analysis; limit analysis; FEM; laser scanning; photogrammetry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2020.104850

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2020 Vol.5 No.1, pp.142 - 165

Received: 02 Feb 2019
Accepted: 01 Aug 2019
Published online: 04 Feb 2020 *

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