The paper is divided in three parts. In the first part the history of the domes and their realisation are .
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shortly presented: the Pantheon, Hagia Sophia, St. Mary of the Flower in Florence, St. Peter in 2pjW,I!`
Rome. ?n&$m
In the second part the behaviour of Hagia Sophia is analysed through its history, the observation of .`mtA`N
the present damage and mathematical models. The study shows how the dome collapsed several H):-! ?:
times in its history. LjC6?a_?l
The third part shows the collapse of two vaults of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi hit by a strong 1N>6rN
earthquake on 26 September, 1997. *i%.{ YH
The mathematical model and photographic records explain the mechanism of collapse. Finally the '}T;b} &s
reinforcements have been achieved using composite materials with aramidic fibers to strengthen the N
tO?
deformed existing vaults.
