Science & Technology, UK (Commonwealth Union) – Throughout the ages, stone has been an enduring material that has shaped our architectural heritage. From ancient castles and cathedrals to quaint village houses, historic stone buildings stand as testaments to the craftsmanship and cultural significance of our past. Preserving these structures is not merely an act of maintaining physical structures; it is a way of honoring our collective history and ensuring a sustainable future.
Historic stone buildings are invaluable cultural assets. They offer glimpses into the lives of ancestral heritage, the architectural styles of their times, and the societal values they held. These structures often embody unique craftsmanship techniques, intricate carvings, and ornate details that are unlikely to be replicated in contemporary construction. By preserving historic stone buildings, we preserve our cultural identity and provide a tangible link to our heritage for future generations.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield have produced a new engineering method capable of preserving historic stone buildings and bridges.
The technique, formed by a team from the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, from the University gives a new, more precise way for evaluating the way stone and brick masonry constructions that consist of medieval cathedrals and Victorian railway viaducts is able to safely conduct applied forces.
This new method may lead to an increase in the restoration of masonry structures and continued in future instead of being demolished and replaced according to researchers.
Since the late 1600s, engineers utilized the ‘thrust line method’ for evaluating the safety of masonry buildings and bridges, produced by the famous scientist Robert Hooke. But the traditional thrust line method comes with restrictions. An example, would be its need for an engineer to make a cautious judgement while evaluating the safety of masonry constructions that have openings and also underestimate the possibility of failure as a result of sliding. Furthermore, it is often not certain which areas of masonry need to have some tensile capacity along with the capability to be stretched or pulled prior to breaking as indicated in the study.
The approach formed at the University of Sheffield overcomes the restrictions placed and may be brought into masonry constructions for any geometry, irrespective of whether they have openings. The method also clearly marks regions in structures where certain tensile capacity is required.
The method, known as thrust layout optimization, is a continuation of the famous model of masonry Hooke formed back in 1675, providing significant new details into the behavior of masonry constructions. The researchers have further produced open-source software that, with more development, permits practicing engineers and architects to evaluate the safety of stone and brick masonry constructions.
Professor Matthew Gilbert, Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Sheffield who is the leader of the study team, says “Stone and brick masonry has been used for millennia to form buildings and bridges ranging in scale from humble dwelling houses to cathedrals and railway viaducts. Many of these structures have considerable historic value, and, to ensure they remain safe and fit for purpose, effective assessment methods are required.”
The lead author Isuru Nanayakkara, a research student from the University of Sheffield, indicated that there was a resurgence in interest in application of stone in construction, due to its lesser embodiment of carbon material, but, an appropriate digital analysis and design tools are required for the translation of this interest into an increased widespread application.
“Currently, engineers have been turning to analysis and design tools that are better suited for steel and concrete structures, which means that steel reinforcement is sometimes being used in new masonry designs when it’s not needed. We hope that our new thrust layout optimization technique can help here – we’re making available open-source software for interested structural engineers and architects and we welcome their feedback on this.”
