Mathematics and Structural Repair of Gothic Structures

Abstract

Architecture, unlike other scientific disciplines, can be used as a never-ending source of numerical, algebraic, geometric, analytic and topologic problems, to name just a few fields of mathematics. A modern concept of architecture should necessarily include mathematics for its comprehension. Reciprocally, the teaching of mathematics in architecture should be based on the constructive event to be effective. Interdisciplinary education provides a positive stimulus for both teachers and students, resulting in a much more persistent and interesting training. It is obvious that mathematical knowledge acquired inside an architectural environment is more likely to be applied by future architects after their university studies. As an example of this way of learning mathematics, in this paper we will show some ideas and mathematical concepts related to one of the more complex branches of architecture: restoration, repair, and maintenance of Gothic buildings.

First published as: Javier Barrallo and Santiago Sanchez-Beita, “Mathematics and Structural Repair of Gothic Structures”, pp. 21–30 in Nexus V: Architecture and Mathematics, Kim Williams and Francisco Delgado Cepeda, eds. Fucecchio (Florence): Kim Williams Books, 2004.