ABSTRACT

Damage in Gothic cathedrals can occur due to single extreme events or long-term processes, often associated with large deformations and cracking. This paper presents the damage survey and structural assessment of a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the oldest, most visited and most known Christian temples in the UK: Canterbury Cathedral, in Kent. Inspection and damage survey showed repetitive crack patterns on the vault’s intrados, with more severity in the south aisle, including outward rotating movement and cracking in the south flying buttresses. Ambient vibration tests were carried out to identify the structure modal properties. An FE model of a typical transversal section of the nave and lateral aisles was prepared, and calibrated based on the tests. Nonlinear static analyses were performed, considering the main parameters of influence to the structure, as the construction process, the infill volume, the presence of lateral thrusts from the nave’s roof and differential settlements. A validated FE model, presenting sufficient correlation with the existing damage was used to determine the safety factors for lateral and vertical loading, which according to the local hazard are considered adequate. A comparison with limit analysis, based on the static approach, was also carried out.

摘要

哥特式大教堂的损坏可能是由于单一的极端事件或长期过程造成的，通常与大变形和开裂有关。本文介绍了联合国教科文组织世界遗产地和英国最古老、访问量最大和最著名的基督教寺庙之一：肯特郡坎特伯雷大教堂的损坏调查和结构评估。检查和损坏调查显示，拱顶的内拱处有重复的裂缝模式，南走道更严重，包括向外旋转运动和南飞扶壁的裂缝。进行环境振动测试以确定结构模态特性。准备了中殿和侧走道的典型横截面的有限元模型，并根据测试进行了校准。进行了非线性静态分析，考虑影响结构的主要参数，如施工过程、填充体积、中殿屋顶的横向推力和差异沉降。经验证的有限元模型与现有损坏具有足够的相关性，用于确定横向和竖向载荷的安全系数，根据当地的危险，这些安全系数被认为是足够的。还与基于静态方法的极限分析进行了比较。