Author(s)

P. Gelfi & A. Capretti

Abstract

The paper presents the results of an experimental and theoretical investigation aimed at quantifying the contribution of the fill on the stability of masonry arches and vaults. The adopted assessment methods, in fact, do not take into account the passive pressure, which can be mobilised in the fill. The latter is eventually taken into account only as a surcharge, which contributes to centre the thrust-line. Although this approach is on the safe side, it does not allow us to assess the stability of existing masonry arches and, thus, cannot guarantee a correct definition of a reliable safety factor. In order to quantify this contribution, an experimental programme was conducted on a small-scale model. The physical model was designed in such a way that it can resist the loads only due to the fill contri

Keywords