AN ORIGINAL METHOD FOR STRENGTHETING IN ANCIENT STONE DOMES IN SEISMIC REGIONS AND SOLVING CORRESPONDING PROBLEMS OF STRESS–STRAIN STATE ANALYSIS

Moshe Danieli, Arcady Aronchik, Jaacov Bloch

Abstract: An original method for strengthening ancient stone-built domes by enhancing seismic resistance is proposed in this article. The method consists in casting a thin reinforced concrete shell with a support ring placed on top of the dome. Concrete connection elements project from the shell into the dome body to a specified depth. Resulting reinforcement is achieved by creating an interconnected stone-reinforced concrete structure. Aspects of design, technology, and structural analysis are presented. Stress concentrations in the connection areas are a specific problem of the interconnected structure. While the structure is subjected to static, thermal, and seismic loads, the problems relating to the stress-strain state of the stone dome as well as its dynamic characteristics are also considered. Taking into account forces of adherence on contact surfaces between a stone dome body and a reinforced concrete shell is discussed. Results of the nonlinear static analysis of stress concentration in surrounding connectingmember locations are presented. The structural analysis is made using the finite-element method. The problems are investigated through examples of two actual conservation projects, namely the ancient stone dome in Akhaltsikhe (Georgia) and a dome similar to the Hagia Sophia dome.

Keywords: Ancient stone domes, cracking reinforced concrete, Strengthening, Interconnected structure, Stress concentration, Earthquake resistance

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0310001