THE VAULTING SYSTEM OF THE PALATINE CHAPEL: THE AACHEN CATHEDRAL WORLD HERITAGE SITE DOCUMENTATION PROJECT

Abstract. As part of a comprehensive survey and modelling project involving the Aachen Cathedral, this paper focuses on its oldest part, Palatine Chapel, domed octagonal hall supported by eight piers enveloped sixteen-sided outer wall. Working data collected during an extensive 3D capturing campaign conducted between 2022 2023, will focus conic vaults covering ambulacrum 1st floor that represent quite peculiar architectural structural solution considering VIII/IX century building know-how. In framework, Chapel's point cloud has been analysed to extract main 2D generative elements surfaces then construct corresponding geometric models. These outputs have compared against captured assess differences actual vault reconstructed ideal shapes. Finally, method used unfold vaults' create high-resolution ortho-images displayed.