ABSTRACT
The equilibrium of unreinforced masonry vaults is analyzed by the Thrust Network Analysis (TNA), a new computational method that extends the classical plane thrust-line analysis to three-dimensional problems. We further investigate the capability of the TNA approach by studying a representative case and by taking into account different load combinations. These analyses allow us for discussing the features of the TNA method as a tool for exploring 3D compression-only solutions which can be used for analyzing, visualizing and – in view of the lower bound theorem of the Limit Analysis – for assessing the safety of historic masonry vaults with complex geometry.
