Gaiola (construction)

A gaiola pombalina (Pombaline cage; Portuguese pronunciation: [ɡɐjˈjɔlɐ], "cage") is a masonry building reinforced with an internal wooden cage, developed as an anti-seismic construction system in Portugal after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and implemented during the reconstruction of Lisbon Baixa (Lisbon downtown).[1]

Model of the seismically protective wooden structure, the "gaiola pombalina" (pombaline cage), developed for the reconstruction of Lisbon

The catastrophic event of 1755 showed the fragility of the masonry construction, which are not able to absorb and dissipate the energy released by the earthquake. The three-dimensional wooden structure was inspired by construction methods in shipbuilding. The wood, being deformable, had a high capacity of resistance to the forces of traction and compression in a constantly agitated medium.

Since masonry is more effective in resisting fires incorporating the wooden structure in masonry walls combined the advantages of both types of construction.

See also

References
  1. Linköpings universitetsbibliotek


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