Relations between constructive peculiarities and structural behavior in Venice buildings

F Doglioni

doi:10.3989/ic.11.070

Abstract

Here we are synthetically describing some constructive peculiarities of Venice civil buildings, analyzing the relation with the features of their structural decay and behavior in the long run. We suppose Venetian buildings, especially those parts which are conceived to suit the lagoon environment, to have undergone an evolution made of some adjustments, which were based on the observation of damages in previous buildings. That is we suppose ancient builders to rely on their awareness of the behavior of structures yet to come, and to be able to forecast it in part. This process brought some building contrivances to perfection, as exclusive and enduring features of Venice, overcoming changes in style and architectural layout, till they grew into essential elements of a whole and adaptable “device”. This writing is meant for a concise interpretation of this device, which is the result of some research works carried out at Venice IUAV University.

Highlights

In this ancient building (Palazzo Zane in Campo Santa Maria Mater Domini, end 13th-beginning of the 14th century) the white stone head of the three fiube are included in the decorations made of sculpted paterae and Byzantine crosses, above the multiple window. which were commissioned by Venetians
The term fiuba, which means buckle in the ancient venetian language, has been used since the 14th century to name the stone and metal head connecting the external wall, in which it is built, with the inner wooden floors
We focused on a) and b) outline buildings, as we think the c) type is the result of a damage process of a type b) building or even of a vertical one, that is one of those existing regular buildings whose façades are not off plumb

Summary

SUMMARY

We are synthetically describing some constructive peculiarities of Venice civil buildings, analyzing the relation with the features of their structural decay and behavior in the long run. That is we suppose ancient builders to rely on their awareness of the behavior of structures yet to come, and to be able to forecast it in part This process brought some building contrivances to perfection, as exclusive and enduring features of Venice, overcoming changes in style and architectural layout, till they grew into essential elements of a whole and adaptable “device”. This writing is meant for a concise interpretation of this device, which is the result of some research works carried out at Venice IUAV University.

Doglioni

One of the latest cases of fiube following the venetian tradition

Findings

16 Two or three layers of big and pervasively