Personal tools
 

Structural Assessment of Guastavino Domes

Rafael Guastavino refined the technique of erecting thin terra-cotta tile, a thousand year old building system of ‘Catalan Vaulting.’ His company was involved with more than 1000 buildings in North America between the 1880s and the 1960s. Although Guastavino tile vaulting contributed to many prestigious buildings of that time, the structural behavior of this construction system has received little or almost no attention in the literature. It is the intention of this thesis to study this empirically designed system by using tools of modern engineering: experimental modal analysis, thin elastic shell theory and finite element analysis.

Acknowledgements

I would like to take a moment to thank to my advisor, Dr. Thomas E. Boothby, for his endless support and continuing enthusiasm that helped me through the tough moments. He not only shared his knowledge and insight, but also played the role of an academic father through this difficult process. I also would like express my appreciation to my committee members, Dr. Linda Hanagan and Dr. Martin Trethewey, because they were so generous in sharing all of their knowledge and experience as well as their equipment–without them this study would never be achieved. Thanks also to Prof. Daniel Willis for his support to my modest effort of combining architectural history with structural engineering. And special thanks to Dr. Richard Behr; he supported me and my academic endeavors at the time when I lost all my hope.

I should thank to George Webb and Bruce Padolf, as well as their staff, who very graciously provided access to the buildings from which I obtained exclusive information. Thanks also to Janet Parks and Martin Aurand for sharing with me their knowledge and sources. I especially would like to thank Corinna Fisher, who greatly helped me by editing my work, and to Sally Gimbert, who assisted me with the material tests.

Thanks to all of my friends who surrounded me with their love and friendship. I would like to thank a select few whose contribution to the preparation of this thesis is indispensable. Thanks to my colleague Kelly Salyards: she has been a true sister to me for the last two years. Thanks to my best friend Joe Geddes: he always inspired me with his success and achievements. Thanks to my beloved friend Bob Thomas: he has always been there for me, especially at the moments when I needed him the most.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank to my family. I don’t know any words powerful enough to express my gratitude to my parents and to my sister. They have always truly believed in me. And my mom…You have showed me that there are no limits of my abilities as long as I work hard. This and all the future accomplishments I hope to achieve will be for you….

Files
Structural Assessment of Guastavino Domes   15.2 MB  
M.S. Thesis defense presentation illustrates the modal analysis tests, finite element model development and manual updating of two Guastavino tile domes. A brief overview of characteristics and history of Guastavino tile vaulting technique is also included in the presentation.
Structural Assessment of Guastavino Domes   6.3 MB  
Rafael Guastavino refined the technique of erecting thin terra-cotta tile, a thousand year old building system of ‘Catalan Vaulting.’ His company was involved with more than 1000 buildings in North America between the 1880s and the 1960s. Although Guastavino tile vaulting contributed to many prestigious buildings of that time, the structural behavior of this construction system has received little or almost no attention in the literature. It is the intention of this thesis to study this empirically designed system by using tools of modern engineering: experimental modal analysis, thin elastic shell theory and finite element analysis.
Document Actions