The paper is divided in three parts. In the first part the history of the domes and their realisation are /= |5YxY
shortly presented: the Pantheon, Hagia Sophia, St. Mary of the Flower in Florence, St. Peter in 9T#JlV
Rome. gO E3x^X*{
In the second part the behaviour of Hagia Sophia is analysed through its history, the observation of ?9?eA^X%
the present damage and mathematical models. The study shows how the dome collapsed several q Xb{A*J
times in its history. 6?CBa]QG
The third part shows the collapse of two vaults of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi hit by a strong .2si[:_(p
earthquake on 26 September, 1997. jDaWmy<ha
The mathematical model and photographic records explain the mechanism of collapse. Finally the _BA2^C':c{
reinforcements have been achieved using composite materials with aramidic fibers to strengthen the m V U(b,
deformed existing vaults.
