Statics of Historic Masonry Constructions [Paperback]

Masonry constructions are the great majority of the buildings in Europes historical centres and the most important monuments in its architectural heritage and the demand for their  safety assessments and restoration projects is pressing and constant. Nevertheless, there is a lack of a widely accepted approach to studying the statics of masonry structures. This book aims to help fill these gaps by presenting a new comprehensive, unified theory of statics of masonry constructions.

 The book,  result of thirty years of research and professional experience, through an interdisciplinary approach combining engineering, architecture,  advances from the simple to the complex and  analyses  statics of a large variety of masonry constructions, as arches, domes, cross and cloister vaults, piers, towers, cathedrals and buildings under seismic actions.

Europes historic buildings require endless maintenance, yet the statics of these constructions lacks a common approach. This book codifies the field, presenting a comprehensive, unified theory of statics for structures including arches, vaults and towers.

The book is very well written and organized. Moreover, it offers an exhaustive description of the modeling and mechanical response of many typical masonry structural elements. Each argument is treated following a rigorous mechanical and mathematical approach, resulting in a treatise able to describe masonry models and analysis techniques with great clarity. Furthermore, the book presents the models and the methods for the evaluation of safety of masonry structures, tolC’