Author(s)

Elena Mele, Aldo Giordano, Antonello De Luca

Abstract

In this paper the strength and deformation capacity of the main structural elements of a basilica church are studied via static nonlinear analysis. In particular, the nave arcades, the cross section at the triumphal arch and the end wall of chancel are analysed through FEM, using the general purpose software program ABAQUS. The push-over analyses performed on the main structural elements of the church provide useful information on the non-linear behaviour, the stress pattern, the collapse mode and the ultimate strength. These information are particularly valuable since the structural schemes herein analysed are very repetitive within basilica type churches, which represent a large portion of the Italian cultural heritage. The re

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