Analysis of crack patterns on arches and vaults of an existing masonry church: the case of Millenium Church in Timisoara

Masonry arches and vaults are thrusting structural elements and are very common in existing masonry buildings. Their curved shape allows them to effectively resist external forces and evenly distribute loads and stresses. The proper functioning of masonry arches and vaults depends especially on their state of preservation. In fact, the presence of defects and damage leads to a reduction in the performance of the whole structure. This paper will first review the different types of masonry arches and vaults and their construction features. An in-depth analysis of typical crack patterns will be conducted to identify potential collapse mechanisms through a visual inspection and understanding the typical behavior of these structural elements. Within this framework, an existing masonry church located in Timisoara (Romania), the Millenium Church, is chosen as a case study. Crack patterns on the arches and vaults recorded on this church will be investigated in order to assess its current state of conservation