Numerical Analysis of the Tetrapylon Roman's Triumphal Arch of Tebessa: A Case Study.

Abstract

The Tetrapylon Roman Triumphal Arch or commonly called 'Caracalla Gate', located in Tebessa City (Northern Algeria), is considered as one of the most distinctive type of arches associated with the ancient Roman's architecture. This historical monument, erected in the 3rd century, was dedicated to the Roman Emperor Caracalla. In the 6th Century the Caracalla gate was enclosed in the Byzantine old city, built by the General Salomon. Although the monument is still standing, over time, it suffered apparent damages. The conservation and restoration of this monument is actually a major preoccupation for the concerned authorities. In this paper a 3D numerical analysis of the deformations and global stability of the gate are presented. The numerical results obtained were compared to previous site survey and measurements, and were found to be in good agreement. The results revealed that part of the monument damages and deformations occurred following the construction of the Byzantine walls. In its actual state, the monument was found sufficiently stable, and the restoration would not affect its firmness, if appropriate materials and techniques are deployed.

Keywords

• Caracalla Triumphal arch
• Tebessa
• Numerical Modeling
• Restoration