ARCH
What is an Arch?
An Arch is astructure constructed of
wedge-shaped unit.
It spans an opening to support the
weight of the wall and other
superimpose load.
Terminology
1. Intrados:- This is an innercurve
of an arch.
2. Extrados:- Outer Curve of an
arch
3. Soffit:- Inner Surface of anarch.
4. Voussoirs:- These are wedge
shaped units.
5. Crown:- Highest part of extrados
Reference- B.C.Punmia
W.C.MacKay
6. Spandril:- Curved triangular
space form between extrados and
horizontal line.
7. Key:- Wedge-shaped unit fixed
at the crown of thearch.
8. Skew back:- It is inclined or
splayed surface on theabutment.
9. Springing points:- These
are the points from which the
curve of the arch spring.
10. Springing line:- It is an
imaginary line joining the
springing point of eitherends.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
W.C.MacKay
11. Abutment:-End point of
an Arch.
12. Springer:- It is the first
voussoir at springing level.
13. Pier:-Intermediate support
of an archade.
14. Arcade:- It is a rowof
arches in continuation.
15. Haunch:-Lower half of the
arch between the crown and
skew back.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
W.C.MacKay
16. Ring:-It is the circularcourse
forming an arch.
17. Impost:- It is the projecting
course at upper part of pier or
abutment to stress thespringing
line.
18. Bed Joint:-Joints between the
Voussoirs which radiate from
centre.
19. Centre or Stricking
Point:- This is geometrical
centre point from where the arc
forming the extrados, arc rings,
intrados.
20. Span:-Clear horizontal distance
between the supports.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
W.C.MacKay
Arches are classified according to:-
1. Shape
2. Number of Centers
3. Workmanship and Material Used
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Classification According to Shape
Flat Arch Segmental Arch
Semi-circularArch Horse Shoe Arch
Pointed Arch
Venetian Arch
Florentine Arch Relieving Arch
Semi-Elliptical Arch
Stilted Arch
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Flat Arch
Forms an equilateral triangle with intrados as base( at an angle of 60°)
Used only for light loads
Weakest Arch
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Segmental Arch
Center of Arch lies below springing line.
Thrust transferred to the abutment is in inclineddirection.
Most Common type of Arch.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Semi-circular Arch
Center Lie on Springing line
Shape of the arch is Semi-circular
Thrust transferred to the abutment is perfectly invertical direction
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Horse Shoe Arch
The arch has the shape of a horse shoe.
Incorporating more than a semicircle.
Mainly use for Architecturalconsideration.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Pointed Arch
Also known as GothicArch.
It consist two arc of the circle meeting at apex.
Triangle form may be equilateral or isosceles(also known asLancet
Arch).
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Venetian Arch
This is another form of Pointed Arch.
Has deeper depth at crown than springings.
It Has four centers located onspringing line.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Florentine Arch
This is similar to VenetianArch.
Its intrados is asemicircle.
It has three centers located onspringing line.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Relieving Arch
The ends of Arch carried sufficiently intoabutment.
Its lintel can be replaced without effecting the Arch.
The Arch is constructed on either flat arch or wooden lintel.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Stilted Arch
An arch whose curve begins above the impost line.
It consists a semi circular arch with two vertical portions at springings.
The centre of the arch lies on the horizontal line.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Semi-Elliptical Arch
It has shape of semi-ellipse.
It has either three centre or five centre.
Also called a basket-handlearch.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Classification According to Number Of
Centers
One-Centered Arch
Two-Centered Arch
Three-Centered Arch
Four-Centered Arch
Five-Centered Arch
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
One-Centered Arch
It has only onecenter.
Segmental Arches, Semicircular Arches, Flat Arches, Horse Shoe
Arches and Stilted Arches come under thisCategory.
Sometimes full circular arch (Bulleye Arch ) provided for circular
windows.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Two-Centered Arch
It has twocenters.
Pointed Arches comes under thiscategory.
Semi-elliptical arch and Florentine arch also comes under this category.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Three-Centered Arch
It has threecenters.
Elliptical Arches comes under thiscategory.
Equilateral Arches also comes under this category.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Four-Centered Arch
It has fourcenters.
Venetian arch comes under this category.
Another example is Tudorarch.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Five-Centered Arch
It has five centers
Fives centers help in getting a good semi- elliptical shape
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Classification Based On Material And
Workmanship
Stone Arch Brick Arch
Concrete Arch Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Stone Arch
1. Rubble Arches
Weak and use for comparatively inferior
work.
Made by stones which are dressed, roughly
shaped and sized as voussoirs
Mortar is used for bindingstones
2. Ashlars Arches
Made by stones which are fully dressed and
in proper shape of voussoir.
Lime or cement mortar is use as binding
material.
Use for making Flatarches
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Brick Arches
1. Rough Arch
Made with ordinarybricks
Joints are wedge-shaped with
greater thickness at extradosand
smaller thickness at intrados.
Not used for exposed brickwork.
2. Axed or Rough-cut Arch
Made with wedge shaped bricks
Joints are of uniform thickness.
Not so attractive due to wedge
shaped bricks which are notfinely
dressed.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
3. Gauged Arch
Made with bricks which areprepared to
exact size and shape of voussoir.
Joints are fine , thinand truly radial.
Lime putty is use as a binding material.
4. Purpose made brick Arch
Made with special bricks which are
manufactured in exact shape and sizeof
voussoirs.
This is very fineworkmanship.
Lime putty is used asa binding material.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
Concrete Arches
1. Concrete block-unit Arch
Made with pre castedconcrete
blocks.(moulds in shape of voussoirs)
Good appearance and size of arch
achieved due toperfections.
Cement mortar is used asa binding
material and joints are thin.
2. Monolithic Arch
Made with cast-in- situ concrete,either
plain or reinforced.
Suitable for largespan.
The thickness is 15cm for archesupto
3m span.
Reference- B.C.Punmia
Google.com
