Structural Behaviour of Masonry Newly Concept Vault Through Tilting Table Testing on a Scaled Model

Masonry vaults represent one of the most recurrent types of horizontal structural elements in architecture in European countries, even in areas characterized by a high level of seismicity. Therefore, the evaluation of their structural safety and their mechanical behaviour remains of primary importance. This paper proposes to apply already consolidated structural analysis methodologies on a contemporary vaulted space. The aim, therefore, is to investigate the dynamic behaviour of a newly concept vault generated starting from the “Flat vault of Abeille” patented in 1699. The reinterpretation of this vault and its use would allow both to enhance the existing Architectural Heritage and to characterize the realization of new buildings using traditional construction materials and techniques, without going against the canons and guidelines of architectural restoration. It follows that the identification of this “new type” of vault is essential to design it correctly and to optimize the geometry for structural purposes. The present paper describes the results of an experimental campaign about tilting table tests on a 1:8 small scaled vault and and the numerical simulation of the model through the Distinct Element Method (DEM). The physical model is coherent with the numerical one because it has been realized with 3D printed blocks assembled with dry joints. The seismic behaviour of the vault was experimentally studied through quasi-static tests by means of a tilting table to evaluate the collapse angle and the Horizontal load Multipliers for different in-plane angles in order to define a resistance domain of the vault.