Ancient Solutions for Modern Challenges: Structural Analysis of Roman Ventilated Facade Systems

The rising need for sustainable building technologies and passive ventilation strategies has sparked renewed research interest in traditional building practices. In this regard, Roman thermal buildings are notable for their incorporation of sophisticated ventilated facade systems. Nevertheless, the structural performance of these buildings remains poorly understood. This study presents a numerical analysis of Roman ventilated facade systems, focusing on the Forum Women’s Thermal Baths in Pompeii. A nonlinear finite element model is developed in Straus7 to examine the dynamic response and establish baseline dynamic properties essential for future structural performance assessments. Modal analysis identified characteristic frequencies related to the horizontal translation modes. The numerical model will give insight into the load transfer pattern between the individual tegulae and the supporting structures. The results will provide a quantitative database on dynamic characteristics for these traditional systems and set out a verified computational procedure applicable in the fields of heritage conservation and current design practice. The current study combines archaeology and engineering in order to obtain valuable insights into ventilation strategies still applicable in the design of sustainable buildings.