GEOMETRY RECONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF HISTORICAL MASONRY VAULTS: THE CASE OF THE SPERANZA CHURCH IN CAGLIARI

Fabian Bernal Orozco;Marco Zucca

;Emanuele Reccia;Valentina Pintus;Enrica Vecchi;Andrea Dessì

2026-01-01

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Abstract

The importance of preserving historical masonry structures leads to the detailed analysis of the main structural elements that characterize this type of construction. Among these, vaults stand out due to their vital role and complex structural behaviour. Over the past few decades, various approaches have been employed to assess the structural performance of vaults under both static and dynamic loads. Additionally, several factors influence the structural behaviour of masonry vaults, including their shape, the mechanical properties of the masonry, and the arrangement of the bricks. This paper investigates the structural behaviour of the masonry vaults in the Speranza church in Cagliari, which are distinguished by a complex brick pattern and unique shape. A geometry model was created based on a comprehensive and accurate laser-scanner survey, allowing for the development of a finite element model to analyse the vaults’ structural behaviour under different load conditions. Consequently, the evolution of the stresses acting on the vaults was evaluated to assess the safety level of the analysed elements.