Structural models for the assessment of the masonry dome of the basilica of S. Maria of Carignano in Genoa

In this paper the safety of the dome of the Basilica of S. Maria of Carignano in Genoa, by Galeazzo Alessi, built in the XVIth century, is analysed. Two different approaches are followed in order to evaluate the safety of the structure and the related results are compared in order to evaluate their reliability. The first one is based on the classical equilibrium limit conditions of the double masonry dome and of the dome-drum system, assuming a rigid no tensile-resistant material and considering the actual shape of the structure, so as to evaluate the safety related to local and global collapse mechanisms taking into account the different behaviour of several structural elements (lantern, shells of the dome, drum, colonnade). The second approach is a finite element one related to one eighth of the dome-drum system in which masonry is assumed with low tensile and limited compressive strength. Comparisons between the obtained results are carried out so as to propose a general approach based on numerical tools calibrated by standard analyses.