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The wooden truss dome of Massimo Opera theatre in Catania: constructive and structural survey for the assessment of plaster crack pattern



Title: The wooden truss dome of Massimo Opera theatre in Catania: constructive and structural survey for the assessment of plaster crack pattern
Author(s): C.F. Carocci, V. Longo, C. Tocci
Paper category : conference
Book title: RILEM Symposium on On Site Assessment of Concrete, Masonry and Timber Structures - SACoMaTiS 2008
Editor(s): L. Binda, M. di Prisco, R. Felicetti
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-061-5
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-075-2
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2008
Pages: 1189 - 1198
Total Pages: 10
Nb references: 8
Language: English


Abstract: This paper presents a study carried out on the dome which covers the horseshoe shaped hall of the Massimo Bellini Theatre in Catania.
The dome’s painted surface shows a set of cracks whose pattern, probably come out as a consequence of a seismic action (Santa Lucia earthquake, 1990), seems to be depending on some features of its structural behaviour which are related to its geometrical configuration.
In fact, while the dome’s geometry is quite similar to those of the Opera theatres built in the second half of XIX century in Italy, its structural configuration shows different peculiarities. Its wooden structure is independent from the above closing roof, being realized with a spatial system of 36 radial wooden trusses connected each others by a wooden ring, which defines the intrados dome’s eye. The structural configuration of the trussed dome was analysed by geometrical and detailed survey with the purpose both to understand the cause of present crack pattern and to recognize potential weak points of the assembly. At the same time some investigations on materials (wood and plaster) were carried out in order to assess, by a structural model, the actual safety condition of the dome.


Online publication: 2009-05-26
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00


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