Javier Suarez1, Rafael Bravo2, and José A. González2
1) Higher Technical School of Architecture, Department of Structures, University of Granada (Spain)
Edificio politécnico, Campus Fuentenueva s/n 18071 GRANADA
e-mail: fjsuarez@ugr.es
2) Higher Technical School of Architecture, Department of Structures, University of Granada (Spain)
Edificio politécnico, Campus Fuentenueva s/n 18071 GRANADA
{rbravo,jogocaar}@ugr.es
Keywords: Dome, Structural Analysis, Masonry, Historical Heritage.
Abstract. The Basilica of St. Juan de Dios in Granada was built between 1734 and 1757, by design of architect José de Bada y Navajas. The complexity and dynamism of its architectural forms, the richness of the ornamentation, the preponderance of colour and light, make of it one of the great works of the Spanish Baroque.
In this paper, by thorough bibliographic and documental study, it presents the architectural analysis of the Basilica and the constructive description of the different elements, focused on the dome, built according to the characteristic model of the time, the timber vault, treated by Fray Lorenzo de San Nicolás.
By a campaign of measurement on-site, with measuring tape and laser meter, it presents for the first time, the geometric modelling of the dome. It also includes hypothesis about the construction process.
It presents the evolution and application of different methodologies of analysis of structural behavior of the timber vaults. The cohesive construction theory and the use of the experimental formulas of Rafael Guastavino. The membrane analysis from the Rankine-Schwedler formulation. The limit analysis applied to masonry structures based on the methodology developed by Professor Heyman and the analysis based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The calculation of working stresses in wood joints and elements. The application of the different methodologies allows the contrast of the obtained results.
Finally, it presents conclusions on the stability of the different elements, as well as suggestions for constructive conservation measures.