Notre Dame is unstable: a strong wind could make the walls collapse, independent report says

[applegrove]

Notre Dame is unstable: a strong wind could make the walls collapse, independent report says

The current approach to its restoration fails to take account of the interconnected structural “engineering” of Gothic architecture

FRANCESCO BANDARIN at the Art Newspaper

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/analysis/notre-dame-is-unstable

"SNIP.....


The collapse of a part of the vaults has severely reduced the safety of its structural system, which, in the case of a Gothic cathedral, does not rely on the heavy mass of the walls, as in classical architecture, but on discharging weight through clustered columns, external flying buttresses and counter-supports—a structural “exoskeleton” that until now has been extremely effective and resilient.

Paolo Vannucci, a mechanical engineer at the University of Versailles, has modelled the engineering of the structure and shown that the walls of Notre Dame could collapse under the pressure of wind speeds higher than 90km per hour, while before the fire they could withstand winds of up to 220km per hour, so they urgently need temporary supports. The stability of the vaults is also causing concern because the stone has been weakened by the fire and the weight of tons of water and the molten lead of the roof covering.

Strengthening and restoring the structural system of Notre Dame must, therefore, be the primary goal in the rebuilding process, and it will certainly require more time than initially thought (President Macron announced the cathedral would be restored within five years).

The walls need to be reinforced, and the rib vaults rebuilt and consolidated in order to allow the replacement of the roof, which itself plays an important structural role in the overall frame of the monument.

....SNIP"

[sinkingfeeling]

1. So sad.

[Doodley]

2. Unstable. That is a theme today.

[MyOwnPeace]

3. Oh, SNAP!!!!!!!

How astute! DAMN, you nailed that one!

[applegrove]

5. Good one!

[FBaggins]

4. Paris doesn't get 90km per hour winds very often

I think the last European windstorm topping that in Paris was 20 years ago. And that one was historical in nature (knocked out power to millions IIRC).

[applegrove]

6. Glad to hear it.

[keithbvadu2]

7. Not very often but once might be enough. Need to plan/rebuild for that 'once'.

Not very often but once might be enough. Need to plan/rebuild for that 'once'.

[caraher]

8. Very true

But the rarity of such winds means there is likely time enough to do the work