AbstractThe Late Gothic fan vault of King’s College Chapel (Cambridge, UK) presents a mechanicalparadox: a high-mass masonry shell (span 12.7m) supported by slender lateral walls thatfeature extensive glazing and minimal cross-sectional area. Conventional elasticcontinuum analysis predicts significant lateral thrust that should compromise the glazedenclosure. However, despite a documented global settlement of > 120mm, the lateralwalls remain intact.This paper proposes a new structural model: the vault functions as a φ-Fractal-HarmonicNESS Structure, where geometric tuning minimizes hoop forces at the wall interface. Bycombining high-resolution geometric survey data with Discrete Element Modeling (DEM)and Thrust Network Analysis (TNA), we identify a specific “Zero-Hoop” elevation (h0)decoupled from the lateral walls. We demonstrate that the structure maintains stabilitynot through rigid static equilibrium, but through a Dissipative Non-Equilibrium Steady State(NESS), permitting kinematic adjustments via mortar-stuffed fissures and dry joints.
Udo Granops (Sat,) studied this question.