outline · 2009-04-29 · ha2 autumn 2005 gothic architecture: design and history dimitris...

HA2 Autumn 2005

Gothic Architecture: design and historyDimitris Theodossopoulos 1

Gothic Architecture: design and history

Gothic Architecture: design and history 2

Outline

• Main design issues and innovations• Structural outline• Chronological development• Classical styles (France) • Outside the canon• Gothic in the UK• Case study: Burgos Cathedral

HA2 Autumn 2005



Main design issues

• Definition – a sharp change from Romanesque? (St Denis 1130)• Major elements pre-existing (ribs and shafts, pointed arches, cross vaults)• Composition and scale• Light and height• Role of patrons (royal vs. secular foundations) and cathedral buildings• Strong technological input• European regional characteristics• Decline: decorative character and historical reasons


Main design issues

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Technological innovations

• Dynamic composition• Dynamic equilibrium• Linearity – origin in Norman timber

technology?• Role of the ribs (and shafts)• Spatial flexibility of cross vaults –

use of pointed arch• Flying buttresses• Openings and spans• Bar tracery and linear elements• Large scale construction and

transmission of knowledge


The role of geometry

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Contrast Durham Cathedral (1093-1133) and Sainte Chapelle in Paris (1240)

Light


Nave (high) vaults: symmetrically supported by lateral walls and buttresses

Aisle (lateral) vaults: span between nave arcade and external wall

Ribs reinforce the intersection between the vaults (groins)

Layout and behaviour

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Nave enclosed between the façade and the apse

Divided into regular bays, abutting each other longitudinally

Transverse thrusts counteracted by a system of flying buttresses

Rampant arches: lower tier (gravity), higher (wind)

Structural behaviour


Clerestory - natural light

Triforium and lateral wall passage

Cross-section fits haunches - not resting on vaults (porte-á-faux)

Nave’s weight carried with offset? Possible hinge

Balanced upper thrusts - weight carried vertically

Low stresses on base of piers

Failure pattern

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• Intrados: hinge line close to longitudinal vertex

• Extrados: cracks parallel to edges

Serviceability limit: abutments’displacement at 1/50 of transverse span

Failure observed at 1/20 of the span

Failure pattern


Development

• Vezelay• First experiments in 1130’s Domain

Royal (France)St Denis, Paris (Abbot Suger)Sens (Arras, Noyon)

• Durham (rib vaults) • Notre-Dame, Paris (in. 1163)• High Gothic

Chartres (1194-1217)Bourges (ReimsAmiens (1220-28)

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Consolidation

• Rayonnant Gothic (1232-1270): Sainte-Chapelle, Beauvais• English Decorated (1250-1370): Lincoln, Exeter, Wells


Consolidation

• German High GothicHallenkirche (Frauenkirche, Nuremberg)Cologne cathedral (in. 1248, fin. 19th c.)

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Outside France

East Europe: Germanic influences, decorative potential of structural elements (St. Vitus, Prague)

Norway: “timber” Norman architecture (Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim)


Italy

Santa Croce, Florence (Arnolfo di Cambio, 1294 -1442 )

Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi 13th c.

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Spain & Portugal

• Direct influences from (south) France in Castille• Earlier cistersian influences (romanesque appearance, ribbed vaults, chapels on transepts)• “Hallenkirche” type in Catalonia• Fusion with islamic tradition• Main cases:

Toledo cathedral (in. 1224)Burgos 1221-1267 (major influence)Barcelona (in. 1298)• Manuelin style in Portugal (XV c.):

ornamental richness with Flamboyant elements (Jeronimos, Lisbon)


Spain & Portugal

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Decline and revival

• French Flamboyant (1350-1520)• English Perpendicular (1330-1540)• German Sondergotik

• Collapse of Beauvais 1284

• Vasari: term Gothic• Gothic Revival and national styles

(Viollet-le-Duc, Pugin)


High Gothic

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Durham and the ribs

• 1093-1133• Earliest high-level ribbed vaults in Europe, 25m height• Ribs

Smooth finish of groinsInterpretation of Norman timber architectureTimber-frame vocabularyTogether with shafts, convey unitary approach to construction design• Careful balance of massive

construction with voids• Flying buttresses!


St Denis (1140)

• Abbot Suger (1122-1151)• Major renovations at apse• First conscious composition of

load-bearing elements into a new style

• Ribbed cross vaults enabled geometry of ambulatory and plan flexibility

• Stonework as light skeleton: large stained glazing, integrating role of light

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Notre Dame, Paris

• Started 1163• Large scale applications: total height 32 m• Round piers balanced with emphasis on

vertical elements• Major application of flying buttresses• Lack of confidence of masons –

unsuccessful illumination


Chartres and its School

• The first “classic” gothic church (1194-1217)

• Engaged shaft piers• Classic gothic sculpture at portal• Quadripartite vaults (subs.

sexpartite): uniform character• Balanced cross-section

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The School of Bourges

• Started 1195• 5-naves: follows Paris model• Arcade occupies most elevation• Smaller clerestory - lighting• Less hierarchy between parts• Normal transfer of thrusts• Less popular than Chartres

(Normandy)• Influenced Beauvais?


Amiens

• 1220-1288• Perception of space through

movement:Horizontal, towards AltarVertical, proportions of elevation

• Uninterrupted vertical shafts• Height: 42.30 m ; span: 12.15 m• Triforium lets light in• Gradual dissolution of elevation –

turning point

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Beauvais

• Collapse 1284• Nave height 68m• Maximum expression of Gothic

verticality and experimentation• Reconstruction halted after

subsequent tower collapse


Beauvais

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Gothic in Britain

• Length: delicate balance between verticality and horizontality

• Moderate scale: measured excitement, less spatial explorations

• Clear structural logic• Monastic foundations: transepts and

choirs• Flat east end• Periods

Norman (1066-1190)Early English (1175-1265)Decorated (1250-1370)Perpendicular (1330-1540)Reformation


Canterbury

• Reconstruction after fire 5/9/1174 till 1184

• Pioneering construction following Durham

• Master-mason: William of Sens• Shrine of St. Thomas a Becket

(+1170)• Choir: abrupt junction of piers to

upper structure• Sexpartite vaults• Linearity emphasised by leaner ribs

and Purbeck shafts

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Wells

• Construction 1186-1215• The first English Gothic church• Modest scale (height 20.5 m)• Design based on pointed arches• Elegant use of shafts in piers (stone colour,

proportions, light)• Stiff-leaf capitals• Horizontal emphasis – weak vertical articulation• Unique 3D treatment of screen-type façade


Lincoln Cathedral

• Reconstruction (1192-1280) by St. Hugh after earthquake 15/4/1185

• Uniformly carried out scheme• Transepts and projections: effect of

diffusion and lack of concentrated spatial effects

• Linear patternCarved and linear elaboration (Purbeck shafts)Improved verticalityExtensive tierceron ribs, unified by ridge-rib

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Lincoln


Lincoln

• English vocabulary• Inspirations from Canterbury• Height 25 m., tot. span 24 m• Proportions: vault too low,

piers are slender and sparse• Unsatisfactory façade • Later innovations in vaulting

and scale improvements at Angels Choir

Clerestory and triforiumSharp intonations“Crazy” vaults

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Westminster abbey

• Norman church restructured 1245-69 by Henry III

• Return to French influences (chevet, scale and proportions, triforium) and vaults (Lincoln more popular)

• Bar window-tracery – skeleton becomes an infill

• Transition to (Geometrical) Decorated

• Ridge ribs• Segmental window as

equilateral triangles


Salisbury

• Construction 1220-1284 (spire 1380)

• Great length (144 m), 6 times the width (24 m)

• Projections and double transepts• Improved proportions enable

lightness and elegance• Nave: horizontal lines too sharp• Mouldings highlight depth of

elevation• Interior too perfect?• Linear emphasis on façade • Spire and external layout

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Perpendicular (1330-1540)

• Reaction to contemporary Flamboyant (1350-1520)

• Classical precision in craftmanship• Preference for Hall Church layout

and single volumes• Perpendicular mullions used to

support glazing of free openings –required more horizontal transoms

• Deeper springing of vaults and gradual integration of triforium to clerestory

• Fan vaults: combination of (Anglo-Norman) corbelling and tierceron ribs


Perpendicular - King’s College

• Tudor foundation 1446-1515 (John Wastell)

• Fan vaults• Heavy transverse arch separating

bays• Twelve rectangular bays (plan:

7.37 by 12.6 m)• Fan vaults

Pendentive function of cone and stone layingStiff spandrels and low bending stresses

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• Supported on slope of citadel hill and underground chapels

• Latin cross in plan:

Longitudinally enclosed and fixed by a façade incorporates deep buttresses and spires

East end: ambulatory and chapel of the Constables of Castile is added

ring of radial chapels at apse

Two-level cloister braces SE quarter

Similarly stiffened facades at transepts

The Cathedral of Burgos


Plan

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Load-bearing elements

• Crossing tower: focal point of scheme supported on heavy pilasters (reconstruction after collapse in 1539)

• Nave elevation: typical division

• Nave arcade: pointed arch; tas-de-charge has a large offset

• Top windows occupy most of clerestory but do not compromise the lateral stability of wall

• Double tier of flying buttresses

• Stone units: accurately dressed limestone (caliza de Hontoria)

• Load-bearing capacity of the stone masonry in good condition


External views

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Ambulatory


Roof

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Nave


Vaults

• Quadripartite ribbed cross vaults • Nave vaults

span 5.3 x 10.4 m Longitudinal vertex emphasised by rib Vaults next to transept and façade have complex net of tierceron ribs Transverse vault is stilted - thrusts are applied with offset from springing

• Aisle vaults:Span 6.3 x 5.3 m Transverse vertices are longer - a smooth curve was applied to reduce deflections

• Transverse thrusts: contained by double flying buttresses capped by pinnacles

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Buttresses


Construction history

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Upper structure

• Simulation as parabolic barrel vault running along axis of nave, stiffened by transverse vaults

• Hoop stresses S22 are low

• High thrusts are balanced by the flying buttresses

• Central portion spreads outwards

• The stiffer transverse web transmits horizontal deformation onto the wall -tension develops between vault and clerestory crown

• Compression along straight vertex of transverse vault


• Compression increasing at haunches indicate part of weight of vault is supported by ribs and springings

• Thrust twists longitudinal web

• Rib is crucial: guarantees good execution and continuity between webs

• Sharp change in curvature stiffens adjoining webs and stops spread of high stresses between webs

• The symmetrically supported nave cross vault functions as an assembly of four barrel vaults that form a common boundary along the groins

• If ribs are weak, each web behaves as a cantilever - deflections increase towards keystone

Upper structure

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Flying buttresses

• High hoop compressive stresses at top edge and tension at bottom edge (abutment): indicators of good performance

• Spandrel fill: provides a wider area for the application of the thrust

• Counteraction exceeds thrust of vaults (upper tier)

• Role of upper tier: contain thrusts developing due to wind


Lateral wall

• Forces from upper structures are transmitted on triforium area mainly vertically

• Low compressive forces at pier extension - maximum 1 N/mm2

• Sharp increase in compression at tas-de-charge transition- but maximum is 2.4 N/mm2

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If wall not properly braced transversely during construction, nave’s weight is carried with offset

Area will rotate and function as a hinge: lateral wall bursts outwards at top and inwards above capital

If thrusts carefully balanced, weight of upper structure is carried to the ground

Normal stresses on piers are below crushing strength of masonry: stresses at base = 1 N/mm2

Possible failure pattern


• Vault contained between arcade and pier buttresses

• Lateral thrusts are asymmetrically contained

• Domical pattern: probably chosen intuitively to reduce bending

• Nave arch fully stabilised by upper weight - mainly compression in hoop direction (max. 0.39 N/mm2)

• Load twists the vault from adjacent vault - transverse rib stiffener is crucial

• In-plane, shear deformation similar to nave

Lower structure

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Lower structure

• Domical layout: reduces deformations and enhances two-way behaviour

• Diagonal ribs organically bonded into the webs, acting as stiffeners

• High tensile forces: cracks anticipated on apex of the edge on the wall and at front haunches

• Cracks along longitudinal vertex should not develop

• Inspections show there have been repairs at the haunches - the wind has activated the flying buttresses and consequently reduced torsion of the bay


Conclusions

• Successful original design: stresses overall below strengths; deflections low and no signs of instability

• Continuity of the fabric is a fundamental assumption: update of support conditions of the main load-bearing elements using survey data might be required in order to improve the knowledge of the behaviour and safety of the building

• The model highlighted the interaction between the upper and lower structure

• The rib plays a key role in the execution of the difficult intersection between the webs and the efficient distribution of the loads within the entire vault according to a two-way pattern

• This FE model can gauge more simplified modelling strategies for the building or parts of it, while more complex loading conditions or the origin of some more specific defects can be examined.

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Summary

• Main design issues and innovations• Structural outline• Chronological development• Classical styles (France) • Outside the canon• Gothic in the UK• Case study: Burgos Cathedral


• Acland, J. H. 1972. Medieval structure: the gothic vault. Toronto University Press

• Clifton-Taylor, A. (1986). The Cathedrals of England. Thames & Hudson

• Fitchen, J. 1961. The construction of Gothic cathedrals. Clarendon Press

• Fletcher, B. A history of Architecture. (Background: building techniques and processes)

• Leedy, W. C. (1980). Fan vaulting. Scolar press, London.

• Stalley, R. 1999. Early medieval architecture. Oxford History of Art, Oxford

• Theodossopoulos, D., Sinha, B. P., Usmani, A. S. 2003. Case Study of the Failure of a Cross Vault: Church of Holyrood Abbey. J. Architectural Engrg, ASCE, vol. 9(3), pgs. 109-117.

• Theodossopoulos, D. (2004). Structural scheme of the Cathedral of Burgos, Proc. Int. Conf. Struct. Analysis Hist. Constructions, Padua; Modena, Lourenço & Roca eds., Taylor & Francis, London, pgs. 643-652, ISBN 04-1536-379-9

References

outline · 2009-04-29 · ha2 autumn 2005 gothic architecture: design and history dimitris...

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