Failure analysis of Monastery of Jerónimos, Lisbon: How to learn from sophisticated numerical models

Conservation and restoration of historical structures are still a challenge to modem practitioners even if significant research advances have occurred in the last decades. Significant advances have been made in non-destructive testing, mechanical characterization, tools for advanced numerical analysis, knowledge on traditional materials and techniques, and innovative materials and techniques. In the paper, Monastery of Jerónimos in Lisbon, Portugal is adopted as a case study for structural safety assessment. A first discussion is held on the difficulties related to the need of adopting simplified geometries of the model. After a set of sophisticated non-linear failure analyses, a second discussion is held with respect to the consequences associated with the results obtained. Finally, additional in situ testing and monitoring are carried out in a truly iterative process of knowledge accumulation before defining any remedial measures.