Detailed structural analysis of Mallorca Cathedral's structure on a global model

Mallorca cathedral, an outstanding Gothic building showing one of the more audacious structures built in Europe during the Middle Age, has been researched by the Department of Construction Engineering of UPC for more than 10 years. The building includes very interesting structural innovations and some specific seismic resistant devices, such as diaphragmatic arches. However, previous structural analyses have pointed out that the structure might show only limited seismic strength due to the slenderness of the structural members and the large dimension of its vaults. A refined seismic analysis is needed to understand the true seismic performance of the building. This dissertation is a continuation of a previous one done during course 2007-2008 (Ajoy Das, 2008), consisting of a FEM non-linear analysis of typical bay structure. For the present dissertation, we analyzed the results from an already available FEM model involving the entire structure, including the entire nave, chapels, façades and towers. The used model analyzes the response of the structure under gravity loading and earthquake considering linear and nonlinear behavior of the material. The dissertation included the following activities: (1) Inspection and understanding of the structure. Review of previous works regarding historical research, inspection and structural analysis; (2) Characterization of the seismic actions based on some previous works; (3) Research on past seismic performance; (4) Validating the model and using it to carry out structural analysis by means of sophisticated computer tools. Computer codes DIANA were used for this purpose. (5) Conclusions on the performance of the structure in these conditions of analyses

Detailed structural analysis of Mallorca Cathedral's structure on a global model

Mallorca cathedral, an outstanding Gothic building showing one of the more audacious structures built in Europe during the Middle Age, has been researched by the Department of Construction Engineering of UPC for more than 10 years. The building includes very interesting structural innovations and some specific seismic resistant devices, such as diaphragmatic arches. However, previous structural analyses have pointed out that the structure might show only limited seismic strength due to the slenderness of the structural members and the large dimension of its vaults. A refined seismic analysis is needed to understand the true seismic performance of the building. This dissertation is a continuation of a previous one done during course 2007-2008 (Ajoy Das, 2008), consisting of a FEM non-linear analysis of typical bay structure. For the present dissertation, we analyzed the results from an already available FEM model involving the entire structure, including the entire nave, chapels, façades and towers. The used model analyzes the response of the structure under gravity loading and earthquake considering linear and nonlinear behavior of the material. The dissertation included the following activities: (1) Inspection and understanding of the structure. Review of previous works regarding historical research, inspection and structural analysis; (2) Characterization of the seismic actions based on some previous works; (3) Research on past seismic performance; (4) Validating the model and using it to carry out structural analysis by means of sophisticated computer tools. Computer codes DIANA were used for this purpose. (5) Conclusions on the performance of the structure in these conditions of analyses

Detailed structural analysis of Mallorca Cathedral's structure on a global model

Mallorca cathedral, an outstanding Gothic building showing one of the more audacious structures built in Europe during the Middle Age, has been researched by the Department of Construction Engineering of UPC for more than 10 years. The building includes very interesting structural innovations and some specific seismic resistant devices, such as diaphragmatic arches. However, previous structural analyses have pointed out that the structure might show only limited seismic strength due to the slenderness of the structural members and the large dimension of its vaults. A refined seismic analysis is needed to understand the true seismic performance of the building. This dissertation is a continuation of a previous one done during course 2007-2008 (Ajoy Das, 2008), consisting of a FEM non-linear analysis of typical bay structure. For the present dissertation, we analyzed the results from an already available FEM model involving the entire structure, including the entire nave, chapels, façades and towers. The used model analyzes the response of the structure under gravity loading and earthquake considering linear and nonlinear behavior of the material. The dissertation included the following activities: (1) Inspection and understanding of the structure. Review of previous works regarding historical research, inspection and structural analysis; (2) Characterization of the seismic actions based on some previous works; (3) Research on past seismic performance; (4) Validating the model and using it to carry out structural analysis by means of sophisticated computer tools. Computer codes DIANA were used for this purpose. (5) Conclusions on the performance of the structure in these conditions of analyses