Case study: Lithic Chords: post-tensioned stone as a structural material

Author: Francesco Banchini

Date published

1 April 2026

Price
Standard: £9.95 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free
The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
Back to Previous

Case study: Lithic Chords: post-tensioned stone as a structural material

The Structural Engineer

Author

Francesco Banchini

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 104, Issue 4, 2026, Page(s) 34-37

https://doi.org/10.56330/UXAE3119

Date published

1 April 2026

Author

Francesco Banchini

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 104, Issue 4, 2026, Page(s) 34-37

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56330/UXAE3119

Price

Standard: £9.95 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

Lithic Chords is a post-tensioned stone sculpture that was exhibited at the 19th Architecture Biennale in Venice in 2025. Francesco Banchini describes how the project came together for the exhibition.

Additional information

Format:
PDF
Pages:
34-37
Publisher:
The Institution of Structural Engineers

Tags

Masonry - stone Public, Religious & Civic Temporary & Demountable Project Focus Issue 4

Related Resources & Events

Training
Elizabeth Line underground escalator

The value of common design on the Elizabeth Line

The value of common design on the Elizabeth Line
This lecture described the unique design approach to the line-wide architectural components package on the Elizabeth Line and considered how this might benefit infrastructure projects in future.
Date – 7 July 2025
Author – Julian Birbeck & Neill McClements
Price – Free
The Structural Engineer
Architectural render of Sagrada Familia's Glory facade, Barcelona

Advancing thrust-line masonry design using finite-element methods on Sagrada Familia

Advancing thrust-line masonry design using finite-element methods on Sagrada Familia
This article – the winning entry to the IStructE Research into Practice case study competition in 2025 – describes research and development undertaken for design of the four facade towers for the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona.
Date – 4 March 2026
Author – Sam Gardiner, Liam Duff, Steve McKechnie, Michal Kierat and Tristram Carfrae
Price – £9.95

A visit to the King's College Chapel

A visit to the King's College Chapel
The Bedfordshire regional group visited the King’s College Chapel in Cambridge to learn about the chapel’s roof and recent upgrades.
Date – 18 June 2025
Author – Bedfordshire & Adjoining Counties regional hub