Stability analysis of the underground masonry tunnel of Ancient Nemea

摘要

In the archaeological site of Ancient Nemea, Greece, southeast of the Temple of Zeus,rnthere is an ancient tunnel that was buried with earth until it was discovered in 1978. At present, somernlimestone blocks of the tunnel show appreciable damage mainly due to the humidity fluctuation withinrnthe tunnel. In this paper we present a comprehensive structural analysis of the underground tunnel basedrnon the thrust line limit-analysis of the masonry arch and its surrounding soil. The study concludes that therntunnel with its overburden-surrounding soil is structurally stable and has ample bearing capacity. At thernsame time the study shows that the stones which suffer the most noticeable exfoliation due to the humidityrnfluctuation are those that their visible surface from the inside of the tunnel is in compression. In conclusion,rnselective stones of the structure need to be retrofitted in order to avoid further local failures, whilernthe humidity fluctuation inside the tunnel needs to be minimized.