Numerical simulations of the influence of temperature changes on structural integrity of stone temples in Angkor, Cambodia

Abstract

Mediaeval stone temples on archaeological site Angkor were built between 9th and 14th century. Ever since they have been exposed to many external detrimental effects of various intensity. Among others, significant are temperature changes causing specific character of failures of the structures. These are caused by partly irreversible and in time increasing cyclical micro-movements of individual stone blocks. The total sum of all movements happening since their creation in these risk areas reached values high enough to cause stone blocks falling out of the structures. Process of cyclical shrinking and expansion of stone structures represents significant contribution to their total disintegration. This text presents preparation and progress of numerical simulations of static behaviour and process of disintegration of stone temples caused by the influence of temperature changes. It introduces a principle of creation and optimization of numerical models for construction and load put on them including preparation of all input data and evaluation of the achieved results. The analysis of static reliability of the stone temples is performed in the framework of activities of Czech National Project at Angkor (CNPA). Theoretical simulation of structural behaviour of the stone temples in Angkor presents a unique approach as nothing similar has been attempted before.