Citation
Hurtado Valdez, Pedro
(2009).
Masonry or Wooden Vaults?: The Technical Discussion to Rebuilt the Vaults of the Cathedral of Lima in the Seventeenth Century..
In: "Third International Congress on Construction History", Mayo 20-24, University of Cottbus, Germany.
Abstract
During reconstruction of the vaults of the Lima’s cathedral, in the seventeenth century, master
builders searched for construction systems that were more resistant to seismic activity. The original vaults, due
to the earthquake of 1609, were extremely damaged. This situation motivated a discussion to analyze the
causes of damages and the features that would require their reconstruction. It was thought desirable that the
new construction would be Gothic-ribbed vaults, not as a return to an ancient aesthetic style, but because the
masons thought this kind of vault could better resist the earthquakes than the existing barrel vaults. However
the continuing damages and collapses prompted a second discussion, to determine the best way to rebuild
these vaults. This time the problems of the ribbed vaults were discussed under horizontal loads, possible antiseismic
solutions were adopted and the possibility of changing the masonry vaults for the nascent curved timber
plank in the colonial lands, especially after the highly structural efficient response proven by the wooden
vaults in some parish churches.