Suspending and consolidating with tension bars

In the Middle Ages, iron tie rods were used to counteract the thrust of vaults and support masonry. The first large-scale reinforcement dates back to 1499, when Amiens Cathedral was in danger of collapsing. A century after its construction, a 300 m linear belt of iron tie rods was applied to the triforium of the edifice, which still surrounds the nave and transept and ensures the building's stability.

The success of a renovation depends not only on the architect, but also on the ingenuity of the solutions proposed by the engineer. A bold architectural approach to preserve the spirit of the place is not enough if structural inventiveness is lacking. Because of their heritage character, older buildings often need to be discreetly reinforced. These operations often involve the use of metal tie-rods, which are remarkably resistant to tensile stresses, while remaining...