Detailed distinct element modeling of a Utrecht wharf cellar for the assessment of the load-bearing capacity and failure mechanism

The city of Utrecht is famously known for the system of canals and the wharf cellars integrated to the heart of the city, whose construction dates back to the 1300s. Due to increased traffic volume which caused the increase in dead load and traffic load, it is important to assess the safety and state of maintenance of these historical structures...

Investigation of the Structural Performance of Masonry Wharf Cellars in Utrecht Using the Distinct Element Method

One of the characteristic features of the city of Utrecht is its extensive system of canals and wharf cellars, whose constructions date back as early as the 1200s, and which are now considered as one of the historical properties of the city. A typical wharf cellar in Utrecht comprises a masonry barrel vault with multi-layered rings for the...

Renovating a Fusee Ceramique Barrel Vault

This paper describes a proposal to renovate a Fusee Ceramique Barrel Vault with steel diagonals In 1956 two workshops, varying in height and span, were built in Wormerveer, The Netherlands. Both workshops were roofed with a concrete barrel vault with a thickness of 110 mm. The cylindrical vaults were constructed with Fusée Ceramique elements. A...

Prefabricated Vaults Strengthened with Ties

This paper describes the design of prefabricated low-rise barrel vaults strengthened with ties This paper describes the design of prefabricated low-rise barrel vaults strengthened with ties. Structurally barrel vaults are very efficient, so the need of material is pretty small. Probably in the coming decades the reduction of the environmental...

Thin Concrete Barrel Vault

The paper presents the structural design of a thin barrel vault constructed with Fusée Ceramique infill elements. The load transfer is analyzed and validated. For the structure composed of Fusée Ceramique elements, steel and concrete the stresses are calculated and compared to the stresses given in the codes used from 1950 to the present. The...

Structural aspects of vaults constructed with infill elements

This paper describes for the Fusée Ceramique vaults the effect of the time dependent deformations concerning the load transfer. Especially the creep and shrinkage of concrete will change the distribution of the loads acting on a Fusée Ceramique vault considerately. Recommendations for infill elements will be given to optimise the load transfer...

Fusée ceramic vaults and domes in the Netherlands

This paper gives an overview of the fusée Ceramique vaults and domes constructed in The Netherlands just after World War II and describes the technique of construction as well as the advantages and disadvantages. Using only a minimum of concrete and steel, the environmental load of the vaults is quite small. Probably this study can contribute to...

Increasing the load bearing capacity of barrel vaults

Just after World War II many barrel vaults and domes were built with a structural system, known as Fusée Ceramique. This paper analyses the load bearing capacity of these vaults. Schemes, theories, idealizations and assumptions are analysed, validated and discussed. Methods to increase the load bearing capacity of barrel vaults are described to...