Fast stability analysis of masonry domes and vaults subjected to gravity-induced loads

This paper presents two different (semi)analytical methods for the limit analysis of masonry structures, i.e., a static approach known as “stability area method”, theoretically framed within the lower bound theorem of limit analysis, and a kinematic approach, based on the upper bound theorem. The analysis is conducted on case studies of masonry domes and vaults subjected to a vertical load applied at the crown. The collapse load is obtained by considering different hypotheses on the masonry tensile and compressive strengths. The results are compared with those deriving from experimental tests available in the literature.