Funicular analysis of a non-symmetric sail vault

This work is part of a research project aimed at exploring the applicability of a computational funicular method to masonry structures with non-trivial ge-ometries, with the aim of adequately describing the flow of compressive forces. As a case study, a non-symmetric vault was selected, namely a sail vault in the Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fortress) in Livorno, Italy, which covers a trapezoidal room and is characterised by an octagonal oculus. The study of the mechanical response of the vault is conducted by means of a funicular approach based on a mathematical programming formulation within the framework of the static theorem of limit analysis. The proposed investigation considers simplified assumptions regarding the mechanical behaviour of ma-sonry, namely zero tensile strength, infinite compressive strength, and infi-nite friction. The objective function was specifically implemented to identify minimum thrust solutions. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained from a finite element analysis performed in Abaqus CAE.