Analytical and Numerical Approach to the Romanian Medieval Church Structures

摘要

Whenever interventions on medieval churches are necessary, they must be approached as a whole, based on a numerical analysis of the load-bearing structure, especially if exceptional actions, like seismic ones, are present. Numerical analysis results can be successfully used in the assessment of quantitative elements for timber load-bearing structures. Nonetheless, masonry load-bearing subunits are more difficult to design and assess, results of the calculations made in case of elastic behaviour of the masonry structure being valid only until the first cracks. Numerical analysis can indicate, from a qualitative viewpoint, the behaviour of load-bearing structures of church buildings. This paper presents the modelling principles of various types of load-bearing structural units belonging to medieval churches, which are subjected to dead loads and non-gravity actions, including Lutheran Church in Bistrita, Reformed Church in Aiud, Lutheran Church in Drauseni, drafted within the Built Heritage Conservation Research and Design Centre - Utilitas, Cluj-Napoca City. It applies to three case studies, displaying their structural behaviour and contributing to the selection of appropriate strengthening methods.