From TLS point cloud data to geometrical genesis determination of ribbed masonry vaults

The contribution aims to explore the possibility of tracing the geometry of ribbed vaults from two different Mediterranean regions to a single matrix, verifying the presence of possible local variations of the same rules. In particular, the analyses are being carried out in parallel on some case studies of the regions of Sardinia in Italy and Aragon in Spain. The two case studies include the Iglesia Parroquial del Salvador la Seo in Zaragoza and the Church of Santa Lucia in Cagliari. Both constructions can be traced back to the style known as Late Mediterranean Gothic, which characterised the architecture of the countries bordering the Mediterranean basin between the 14th and 17th centuries. The two case studies chosen were almost at the extreme ends of the Late Gothic period, to determine whether some invariants sought could persist even in relatively distant periods. The analysis focused on cross vaults covering the two naves, which included a laser scanner survey in order to obtain a cloud of points of sufficient precision to carry out studies on the geometry of the vaulted systems, the identification of the intrados profiles of the ribs and therefore the definition of the curvatures and centres of all the arches making up the vaults. Finally, the results are presented by means of summary diagrams and comparison tables.