Semi-Automated Parametric Analysis of Historical Ribbed Vaults from Point Cloud Data

The study presents a semi-automated methodology for the geometric analysis of historical ribbed vaults using point cloud data and parametric modelling in Grasshopper. The research addresses the challenge of identifying formal anomalies in structures lacking an original reference shape. The workflow simplifies complex three-dimensional vault geometries into two-dimensional sectional profiles, enabling the parametric tracing of pointed arches based on historical geometric constructions. Six classical and non-classical arch configurations are tested and compared against segmented point cloud data from the vaults of the central nave of Mallorca Cathedral. The proposed method allows for efficient comparison of vault sections, minimising manual drafting errors and enabling the identification of geometric inconsistencies across construction phases. The tool is adaptable to various vault typologies based on pointed arcs, and offers a user-friendly workflow.