Stress-Strain State of Brick Masonry Vault with an Aperture

A study of the mechanical behavior of brick masonry vaults with cut aperture is presented. The vault in New Holland complex in St. Petersburg was assumed as an illustrative example. This vault was tested and simulated in order to evaluate its stress-strain state. Comparison of the results of numerical analysis and experimental test data has been performed. The optimal way to perform an aperture was defined: aperture should be cutting parallel to the lines of action of the principal stresses minimizing direction transversal to these lines. As a further development of the research, the investigation of the various types of aperture in vaults has been recommended to perform using different simulating models and methods.