ABSTRACT
The compatibility of a strengthening technique for historic masonry structures poses a significant challenge due to the need to preserve their historical value while adhering to original design and construction techniques. In this context, a lightweight cable-net system offers minimal intervention that preserves structural integrity, complements the compressive strength of masonry with tensile capacity, and ensures reversibility for future restoration. This paper proposes a novel strengthening technique for the double masonry dome of the Shah Mosque (1611) in Isfahan, utilizing a cable-net system inspired by the hybrid nature of the structure. The study assesses the structural behavior of the hybrid double dome of Chahar Bagh (1704), which incorporates wooden ties, struts, and brick, to inform a sustainable reinforcement plan with minimal intervention. Through a comprehensive analysis of historical records, onsite surveys, and advanced structural analysis using Midas FX+ and DIANA software, we elucidate the construction techniques, and necessary intervention strategies for the complex hybrid double dome of the Shah Mosque. Finite element modeling and analysis evaluate the proposed cable-net system under vertical loading condition, including nonlinear analysis and crack pattern assessment. By integrating structural insights from Chahar Bagh with the scientific approach of a cable-net system, we propose a durable, flexible, and cost-effective strengthening solution for the Shah Mosque. The results confirm the sufficiency of the hybrid structure, leveraging the combined strength of the cable-net system, existing wooden elements, masonry domes, and radial walls for effective reinforcement. This approach emphasizes sustainability by fusing traditional practices with modern engineering principles and international structural codes.
