The REVHEAL Project: Design of Pilot-Scale Prototypes of Masonry Cross Vaults

The project REVHEAL (Structural Rehabilitation of Vaults in Heritage Asset Learning: collapse identification and design of compatible strengthening systems supported by adaptive 3D models) focuses on the identification of the main collapse mechanisms of masonry cross vaults under differential horizontal displacements and the design of sustainable strengthening systems, both items supported by the development of novel 3D adaptive models. These objectives are pursued by means of two experimental campaigns, on small-scale and full-scale specimens, respectively. The experiments on both scale specimens are supported by 3D digital models based on point clouds and multi-scale approximated surface objects, aimed at accurately detecting the crack patterns. This paper focuses on the structural conceptual design of a pilot-scale prototype of a 3D-printed cross vault subjected to opening and shear sliding of two abutments under a quasi-static regime. The specimen is made of dry-assembled plastic blocks and represents the 1:5 scale of a real vault with a span of approximately 3 m. The paper illustrates the design phases of the mock-up prototype and the procedure adopted for the 3D printing and assemblage of the blocks. The design of the test set-up is supported by the results of preliminary FE analyses for the calibration of the expected maximum forces and displacements.