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Open AccessJournal ArticleDOI

As Hangs the Flexible Line: Equilibrium of Masonry Arches

Philippe Block, +2 more
- 01 Oct 2006 - 
- Vol. 8, Iss: 2, pp 13-24
TLDR
In this paper, the authors use graphical analysis to determine possible equilibrium states of masonry structures, which are useful for relating the forces and the geometry of a masonry structure to a single phrase: as hangs the flexible line, so but inverted will stand the rigid arch.
Abstract
In 1675, English scientist Robert Hooke discovered “the true... ...manner of arches for building,” which he summarized with a single phrase: “As hangs the flexible line, so but inverted will stand the rigid arch.” In the centuries that followed, Hooke’s simple idea has been used to understand and design numerous important works. Recent research at MIT on the interactive analysis of structural forces provides new graphical tools for the understanding of arch behavior, which are useful for relating the forces and geometry of masonry structures. The key mathematical principle is the use of graphical analysis to determine possible equilibrium states.

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Citations
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Dissertation

Thrust Network Analysis : exploring three-dimensional equilibrium

TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a new methodology for generating compression-only vaulted surfaces and networks using projective geometry, duality theory and linear optimization, which is applicable for the analysis of vaulted historical structures, specifically in unreinforced masonry, as well as the design of newVaults.
Journal ArticleDOI

A review of experimental investigations and assessment methods for masonry arch bridges

TL;DR: In this article, a critical review of the experimental studies that have been carried out and of the assessment approaches developed in the last three decades to assess the life expectancy of masonry arch bridges is provided.
Journal ArticleDOI

Analysis of the Out-Of-Plane Seismic Behavior of Unreinforced Masonry: A Literature Review

TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a general framework on the issue of the out-of-plane performance of unreinforced masonry structures, beginning with a brief introduction to the topic, followed by a compact state of the art in which the principal methodologies proposed to assess the out ofplane behavior of unreinedmasonry structures are presented.
Journal ArticleDOI

Three-Dimensional (3D) Equilibrium Analysis of Gothic Masonry Vaults

TL;DR: In this paper, a nonlinear extension of the thrust network analysis for masonry vaults is presented, which provides insights in structural redundancy of unreinforced masonry structures by quantifying lower bounds on the geometric safety factors.
Journal ArticleDOI

Transverse loading of cellular topologically interlocked materials

TL;DR: In this article, topologically interlocked materials (TIMs) with cellular unit elements have been investigated in the context of drop tower tests and an analytical model for the prediction of the observed material behavior is developed.
References
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Book

The stone skeleton

TL;DR: In this article, the mode of action of masonry construction is investigated using the principles of plastic design developed originally for steel frames, applied to the analysis of the structural system of the Gothic cathedral; the flying buttress and the nave vault are treated in some detail.
Book

The masonry arch

TL;DR: Coulomb as discussed by the authors made contributions to each of the four major problems of civil engineering in the eighteenth century, including the strength of beams, columns and soil, by considering the basic equations of equilibrium, both for the structure overall and at imaginary internal cuts.
Book

The Stone Skeleton: Structural Engineering of Masonry Architecture

TL;DR: In this paper, the masonry theory of masonry and its application in the construction of towers and bells are discussed, as well as the structural elements of a masonry vault.
Journal ArticleDOI

Real-time limit analysis of vaulted masonry buildings

TL;DR: In this article, a series of analytical tools that are fast and easy to use in real-time, but at the same time rigorous and highly accurate, are presented to explore relationships between building geometry and possible equilibrium conditions in real time.
DissertationDOI

Collapse of masonry structures

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a method for Latin American studies using the J. William Fulbright Foundation and King's College, Cambridge Overseas Trust, Centre for Latin America Studies.
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