Geometrical characterization of Yucatan Churches

Abstract

This paper presents the methodology used in the geometrical characterization of Yucatan churches. The main aim was to determine the geometrical features of the typical profile that represent with the best accuracy the churches with canon vaults built in the south of Mexico. The methodology was structure in two phases: (1) preliminary studies and definition of the database of the Yucatan churches and (2) statistical studies on the database. After the definition of the key parameters describing the typical profile of one nave Yucatan churches, a statistical analysis was carried out through regression analysis among the different parameters and definition of histograms for the variables. An attempt to describe the key parameters as a fubntion of the span of the churches was also performed. Based on the results obtained, it seems that the Yucatan’s churches were built totally in an intuitive way as they do not present clear numerical relationships between geometrical key parameters.