Lightweight ribs for the strengthening of single leaf vaults undergoing seismic actions

Abstract

In this paper the behavior and the collapse mechanism of single leaf vaulted structures undergoing seismic loads are discussed, and an innovative technique based on the use of lightweight ribs is proposed. The efficiency of the solution is verified by means of non linear numerical analyses on a strengthened single leaf vaulted structure. The numeric model is validated through comparison with the results of experimental tests performed on lightweight ribs subjected to cyclic, unsymmetrical load conditions. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.