ABSTRACT
This paper presents the main characteristics of the Portuguese timbrel vault, known in Portugal as “abobadilha” or “abobadilha alentejana”, after the region Alentejo where most examples are found. This research is part of an extensive study that culminates in a set of experimental and computational tests which aims to determine appropriate design rules for this type of structure. The rules, shapes and proportions of the timbrel vaults are compared with the geometric features of those described in European treaties of the 18th and 19th centuries. Experimental loading tests were performed on two simple timbrel vaults, the results of which are summarized in the present paper. The numerical model (based on the discrete element method) is intended to be used in the simulation of real structures, anticipating their structural capacity, without the need to perform new experimental tests. A comparison of the experimental results and the predictions obtained is also presented.
