Masonry or Wooden Vaults?

During reconstruction of the vaults of the Lima's cathedral, in the seventeenth century, master builders searched for construction systems that were more resistant to seismic activity. The original vaults, due to the earthquake of 1609, were extremely damaged. This situation motivated a discussion to analyze the causes of damages and the features that would require their reconstruction. It was thought desirable that the new construction would be Gothic-ribbed vaults, not as a return to an ancient aesthetic style, but because the masons thought this kind of vault could better resist the earthquakes than the existing barrel vaults. However the continuing damages and collapses prompted a second discussion, to determine the best way to rebuild these vaults. This time the problems of the ribbed vaults were discussed under horizontal loads, possible antiseismic solutions were adopted and the possibility of changing the masonry vaults for the nascent curved timber plank in the colonial lands, especially after the highly structural efficient response proven by the wooden vaults in some parish churches.