The study aims to perform the structural analysis of the double shell dome of the San Gennaro Chapel, which is part of Naples Cathedral. Constructed in the early 17th century from Francesco Grimaldi's design, the dome fea-tures a double shell with intermediate space, topped by a Piperno and Sor-rento stone lantern. Originally sustained by double brick layers support, the tamburetto, the lantern's excessive weight, compounded by damage from the 1688 earthquake, led to partial collapses and vertical fissures in both shells. Leading by the need to preserve the dome's internal decorative frescoes as much as possible, restoration works didn't involve the lower shell; on the contrary, the idea was to support the upper dome by inserting a wooden artefact between the shells. The original stone lantern was replaced with a lighter, lead-covered wooden structure to reduce the upper dome's weight further. The complex chestnut structure, interposed between the double shells, is still in place today. It is an umbrella-like reticular system with several strut and tie-rod elements with different dimensions. The proposed study explores the dome's overall structure, focusing on the structural role of the timber structure in sustaining the masonry shell and assessing changes in static behaviour with respect to the original design.
Structural assessment of the double-shell dome in San Gennaro Chapel, Naples
Claudia Cennamo;Luciana Di Gennaro;Giorgio Frunzio;Luigi Massaro
In corso di stampa
Abstract
The study aims to perform the structural analysis of the double shell dome of the San Gennaro Chapel, which is part of Naples Cathedral. Constructed in the early 17th century from Francesco Grimaldi's design, the dome fea-tures a double shell with intermediate space, topped by a Piperno and Sor-rento stone lantern. Originally sustained by double brick layers support, the tamburetto, the lantern's excessive weight, compounded by damage from the 1688 earthquake, led to partial collapses and vertical fissures in both shells. Leading by the need to preserve the dome's internal decorative frescoes as much as possible, restoration works didn't involve the lower shell; on the contrary, the idea was to support the upper dome by inserting a wooden artefact between the shells. The original stone lantern was replaced with a lighter, lead-covered wooden structure to reduce the upper dome's weight further. The complex chestnut structure, interposed between the double shells, is still in place today. It is an umbrella-like reticular system with several strut and tie-rod elements with different dimensions. The proposed study explores the dome's overall structure, focusing on the structural role of the timber structure in sustaining the masonry shell and assessing changes in static behaviour with respect to the original design.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
