Fast Physical Scaled Modelling of a Cloister Vault in the Former Monastery of Santa Maria della Pace in Piacenza, Italy

The present paper exposes the in-scale modelling process, and the first results of a quasi-static testing performed on the central section of a vault in the former monastery of Santa Maria della Pace in Piacenza, Italy. The vault is a cloister one, with its central part generated by a three-centred arch. In its central axis it holds a longitudinal structural wall. Given the vault span, the central part is assumed as flat in one direction and one single curvature (arch-like) is modelled so far, with good approximation expected for the results. The model is constructed heterogeneously by using dry-joints macroblocks. The macroblocks are composed by a 3D-printed PLA mould filled with denser material. The blocks interfaces are covered by sandpaper to avoid unwanted shear. In this way, within the frame of no-tension material modelling, the pi-theorem is respected. The sectioned vault is assembled by hand and tested to derive the capacity of the structure to bear the loads it is subject. The quasi-static test is performed by progressively adding weights to the top simulating an incremental analysis of the wall. The authors’ purpose for the physical modelling is benchmarking the FE procedure under development in a fast, smart (no need for laboratories), and cheap way (low material consumption, low-cost tools, indefinitely repeatable).