Characterization and Computer Modeling for Brunelleschi's Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence

Technical Report · Wed Feb 06 04:00:00 EST 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1062703· OSTI ID:1062703

Keller Jr., Charles F. ^[1]; Salmon, Michael W. ^[1]; Zubelewicz, Aleksander ^[1]; Farrar, Charles R. ^[1]; Luscher, Darby J. ^[1]; Rougier, Esteban ^[1]; De Lorenzi-Venneri, Giulia ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

In 1420 Brunelleschi began construction on the enormous dome of Santa Maria del Fiore church in Florence Italy. Of special interest was the fact that his design did not require temporary supports from below (the distance from the ground level to the dome was too high to build such scaffolding/centering). Instead he made use of the stabilizing effect of compressive hoop stresses. As the dome went up, it was always in balance since no part extended beyond the other. Thus, the compressive forces were distributed both radially from the apex of the dome, and circumferentially about the center of the dome providing a stable configuration.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 1062703
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--12-24158
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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