Funicular Analysis of Ribbed Masonry Vaults: A Case Study

A numerical method is implemented to cope with the funicular analysis of ribbed masonry vaults under self-weight. A two-layer spatial network with given plan geometry is adopted to account for the load path in the overlying vault and in the supporting ribs. The minimization of the horizontal thrusts is formulated in terms of an independent set of force densities, and in the vertical coordinates of the restrained nodes. Constraints are enforced on the height of the nodes and on the sign of the force densities, to seek anti-funicular networks in equilibrium with the loading that lie within the envelope of the ribbed vault. A stellar masonry vault originally built in the ancient church of Tereske (Hungary) is investigated, comparing results achieved by using either single-layer or two-layer spatial networks.