On the modern use of the bòvedas tabicadas

Abstract

The paper concerns the study of the so-called “bòvedas tabicadas” (i.e. thin vaults constituted by layers of “rasillas” suitably superimposed) based on the results obtained by specific experimental investigations effected on the material of which they are constituted as well as on a vault that is still working. In particular, aim of the present research is the implementation of a first analysis of the structure in its present configuration (often unusable), with the purpose to evaluate the real structure serviceability related to the prescribed intensity of the acting loads, and moreover the execution of a new second analysis of the same structure but suitably reinforced by placing further layers of “rasillas” constituted by the same material. The problem is firstly approached by experimentally analysing just the mechanical behaviour of the constitutive structural material. With this aim, some samples of the relevant material, suitably collected from a real structure, have been tested in order to characterize its physical properties as well as the chemical and petrographic ones. By effecting tests of centred compression as well as test of bending action the experimental mechanical characteristics of the constitutive structural elements have been suitably obtained. Subsequently it has been possible to effect some experimental tests on a real vault and to measure the field of displacements under the action of known loads. On the grounds of such information the physical model of the material has been characterized: it has been modelled as an ideal (equivalent) homogeneous and isotropous one, reproducing and interpreting the experimental tests through a numerical analysis adopting a finite element discretization. Therefore, such model has been used for the following analysis of the reinforced structure.