Stress analysis of the Byzantine Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna: evaluation of its current state and mid-term predictions

A finite element model was developed to analyze the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, a Byzantine building which suffers diffused cracking and excessive deformation. In the structural analyses account was taken of permanent loads and ground settlements increasing in time. The tensile stresses predicted by a linear elastic stress analysis agree with most of the observed cracks. Assuming the ground settlements to increase at the currently estimated rate, the stresses in several parts of the Basilica might seriously endanger the stability of the building during the present century.