A nonlinear approach to the wind strength of Gothic Cathedrals: the case of Notre Dame of Paris

The problem of assessing the strength to wind actions of Gothic Cathedrals is addressed in this paper. A nonlinear approach, based upon a large-strain, large displacements formulation and using a nonlinear constitutive law modeling the no-tension behavior of the material as a damage law is proposed. The method is applied to the study of the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris.