Experimental Testing and Didactic Observation of the Collapse of Scaled Brick Structures Built with Traditional Techniques

The structural behavior of tile vaults remains challenging to evaluate accurately through numerical models, due to their geometry, the heterogeneity of its mechanical properties, and its boundary conditions. This study presents an experimental investigation carried out as part of a teaching innovation project aimed at deepening the understanding of masonry behavior through hands-on construction and collapse testing. Scaled vaults were built using traditional methods, employing thin bricks and fast-setting gypsum, materials typically selected for their accessibility and compatibility with heritage-inspired craftsmanship. The models were incrementally loaded until failure, enabling direct observation of collapse mechanisms. Plastic limit analysis was used to estimate structural capacity, with a focus on verifying the compatibility conditions of hinge formation. The vaults were documented using photogrammetric reconstruction (Structure-from-Motion) to generate accurate 3D models, and the evolution of collapse mechanisms was analyzed through digital motion tracking of observed hinges. Experimental loading reached values up to 4 kN/m² without collapse, confirming that even thin-tile vaults exhibit considerable reserve capacity. While these values should be understood as conservative lower-bound estimates due to the workshop conditions, results also highlight the significant influence of construction imperfections and boundary conditions. This work reinforces the educational value of physical experimentation and offers empirical insights into tile masonry behavior that cannot be captured through purely digital or parametric models.