Limit analysis of the Great Hall of Trajan's Markets in Rome using equilibrium methods

Abstract

This paper studies the Great Hall of Trajan's Markets in Rome using equilibrium analysis to determine the limits of stability of its main vault under gravity loading. In particular, the capacities of three structural components were analyzed individually and as one system to compare the difference in stability limits. Recent studies of the hall that used Finite Element Methods predicted high tensile stresses in the structure, suggesting that there was a danger of further damage and potential collapse under seismic loads. This led to the installation of steel reinforcement systems within the vault and supporting structure. The objective of this thesis is to show that equilibrium methods are able to give an accurate sense of the viable states of the structure, and generally, that equilibrium methods are a more appropriate technique for analyzing highly indeterminate historic masonry structures. The results show that the range of horizontal thrust values increases dramatically when the supporting structures (lateral arch and buttress) are included. Hence, the supporting structures are critical to the stability of the vault under static loading. Furthermore, sliding between the travertine blocks is not a consideration under static loading of the vault.