Duomo di Milano: Evaluating a City and its Cathedral

Abstract

The Duomo di Milano, or the Milan Cathedral, is one of the most remarkable Gothic cathedrals in the world for its size, symbolism, and beauty. The Cathedral was built according to the Gothic Lombardic Order and features a number of structural and decorative elements. The Milan Cathedral does not compare to typical Gothic cathedrals; the flying buttresses were added as decorative elements years after construction started and iron tension ties connect at the base of vaults. Analytic analyses have determined the flow of forces within the structure, concluding that lateral thrust is not absorbed by flying buttresses, but rather vaults and ties. The significance of the dead weight of decorative elements on the structure, namely the flying buttresses and pinnacles, has been largely unexplored. While they were not designed with the intention of serving a structural purpose, their dead weight contributes to the stability of the structure. In order to understand this relationship, a typical cross section of the Milan Cathedral was modeled with and without decoration and ties. Finite element methods (FEM) were employed to assess the deformations and stresses within each configuration. It was concluded that pinnacles and flying buttresses reduced deformation, decreased tension, and redirected horizontal forces vertically. Thus, by contributing dead load to the structure, the decorations do in fact serve a structural purpose. The tension ties also reduced deformation and tension, but not as extensively as implied by existing research. Additionally, photos of the Cathedral were documented to be incorporated in further research and educational purposes. The relationship between the city of Milan and the Cathedral throughout the years has brought about compelling patterns in urban planning. Milan has largely developed around the Cathedral in the past, but in the XXI century, a shift has occurred. New developments of skyscrapers located far from the Cathedral attract the public for their residential, entertainment, shopping, and tourist spaces. In order for the continued cohesiveness of the city, innovative concepts, like green spaces and pedestrian walkways, attempt to link the old with the new - the skyscraper with the Milan Cathedral.