Preliminary results of parametric study of structural behaviour of Persian brick masonry groined multipartite (Tarkin) vaults

Abstract

In this paper, the structural behaviour of Persian brick masonry groined quadripartite, sexpartite and octopartite vaults is studied. Three different spans, three different pier heights and three different pier widths adopted from real structures are considered. Seven different cross-sectional shapes are selected for the vaults and the supporting arches. Vaults are subjected to four cases of pier settlement and seven cases of pier rotation. Three-dimensional non-linear finite element has been used for analysis. Results show that the load bearing capacity is sensitive to the type of the vault and the shape of the arches, to the type of pier settlement and pier rotation. Ranges for the pier height to the pier width ratio for the highest resistance of the vaults are proposed for pier settlement and rotation.