Arches and Vaults

ARCHES AND VAULTS
E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Introduction:
Arches are architectural structures that have been used for

centuries to support weight and span openings. They are
commonly found in buildings and bridges, and they can be
made from a variety of materials such as stone, brick, concrete,
steel, or timber.
An arch is a curved structural element that spans an opening,

providing support to the weight above it. The curve of an arch
distributes the weight of the structure above it evenly,
transferring it to the supports on either side of the opening.

A corbeled arch is an arch constructed by layering overlapping
courses of materials inward from each side of a vertical wall,
relying on the principle of corbelling. The final course on each
side meets in the middle to form the arch.
A triangular arch is a decorative architectural feature

consisting of a triangular shape formed by a horizontal cornice
or lintel supported by two sloping side pieces or "pediments".

Round Arch: The round arch, also known as the Roman arch, is
the most common type of arch. It is a semicircular arch that is
typically made of stone or brick.
Segmental Arch: The segmental arch has a smaller radius than

the round arch and is made up of a series of shorter, curved
segments.

Pointed Arch: The pointed arch, also known as the Gothic arch,
is a more pointed version of the round arch. It is commonly
found in Gothic architecture and is known for its sharp, angular
design.
Horseshoe Arch: The horseshoe arch has a rounded top and a

wider base than the round arch. It is often found in Islamic and
Moorish architecture.

Trefoil Arch: The trefoil arch has three curved points at the top,
creating a three-leaf clover shape. It is often found in Gothic
architecture.
Elliptical Arch: The elliptical arch has a wider span than the
round arch, and it is often used in bridges and larger openings.

An ogee arch is a type of arch with an S-shaped curve in which
the concave portion of the curve meets the convex portion at a
point of tangency, giving it a distinctive "double curve"
appearance.
A reverse ogee arch is a type of arch with an inverted S-shaped

curve in which the convex portion of the curve meets the
concave portion at a point of tangency, giving it a distinctive
"double curve" appearance that is the reverse of an ogee arch.

An inflex arch is a type of arch that curves inward at the top,
creating a depression in the center.
A three-centered arch is a type of arch that has two different

radii on the arch's sides and a third, larger radius at the apex,
resulting in a shape with three centers of curvature.

A four-centered arch is a type of arch with two different radii on
the arch's sides and two different radii at the top, resulting in a
shape with four centers of curvature.
A paraboloid arch is a type of architectural arch characterized

by a curved surface in the shape of a paraboloid.

Vaults
Vaults are architectural structures that are designed to span an
interior space or an opening, providing support and stability to
the structure above. They are commonly used in construction to
support ceilings, roofs, and other elements of buildings.

Barrel Vault - A barrel vault is a simple, long, and continuous
vault that is semicircular or pointed in shape. It is commonly
used in Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Groin Vault - A groin vault is formed by the intersection of two

barrel vaults of equal size, creating a cross-shaped pattern. It is
commonly used in Gothic architecture.

Rib Vault - A rib vault is a vault in which the barrel vaults are
reinforced with ribs or arches. It is commonly used in Gothic
architecture.
Fan Vault - A fan vault is a type of rib vault in which the ribs are
curved and fan out from a central point. It is commonly used in
late Gothic architecture.

Cloister Vault - A cloister vault is a type of vault with a flat or
slightly domed top and sloping sides. It is commonly used in
cloisters and other covered walkways.

Domes
Domes are a type of vault that is characterized by a circular or
semi-circular shape

Beehive dome
Also called a corbelled dome,[46] or false dome,[47] these

are different from a 'true dome' in that they consist of
purely horizontal layers. As the layers get higher, each is
slightly cantilevered, or corbeled, toward the center until
meeting at the top.
Hemispherical Domes - Hemispherical domes are a half-sphere

shape and are commonly used in Byzantine and Islamic
architecture.

Onion Domes - Onion domes are a type of domed structure that
is characterized by a bulbous shape with a pointed top.
Oval Domes - Oval domes are a variation on the circular dome

and are typically used in architecture where a circular dome
would not fit. They are commonly used in Baroque and Rococo
architecture

Crossed-arch dome
Rather than meeting in the center of the dome, the ribs

characteristically intersect one another off-center, forming
an empty polygonal space in the center.
Saucer dome[edit]
Also called segmental domes[82] (a term sometimes also
used for cloister vaults), or calottes,[15] these have profiles
of less than half a circle.

Umbrella dome[edit]
Also called gadrooned,[84] fluted,[84] organ-
piped,[84] pumpkin,[15] melon,[15] ribbed,[84] parachute,[15] sc
alloped,[85] or lobed domes,[86] these are a type of dome
divided at the base into curved segments, which follow the
curve of the elevation.
Geodesic dome[edit]
Main article: Geodesic dome
Geodesic domes are the upper portion of geodesic
spheres. They are composed of a framework of triangles in
a polyhedron pattern.[69] The structures are named
for geodesics and are based upon geometric shapes such
as icosahedrons, octahedrons or tetrahedrons.

Composite dome
Dome with squinch
A dome is a rounded vault that forms a roof or ceiling, while

squinches are diagonal supports that transition a square or
polygonal base to a circular or rounded dome. Squinches help
distribute the weight of the dome more evenly and add
structural stability to the transition from a square or polygonal
base to a round dome.
Dome with pendentives
A dome is a rounded vault that forms a roof or ceiling, while

pendentives are curved triangles of masonry that form a
transition between a square or polygonal base and a circular or
rounded dome. Pendentives allow for a smooth and gradual
transition between the base and the dome, while also providing
structural support and stability to the overall structure.

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ARCHES AND VAULTS

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Arches are architectural structures that have been used for

An arch is a curved structural element that spans an opening,

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

A triangular arch is a decorative architectural feature

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Segmental Arch: The segmental arch has a smaller radius than

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Horseshoe Arch: The horseshoe arch has a rounded top and a

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

A reverse ogee arch is a type of arch with an inverted S-shaped

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

A three-centered arch is a type of arch that has two different

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

A paraboloid arch is a type of architectural arch characterized

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Groin Vault - A groin vault is formed by the intersection of two

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Also called a corbelled dome,[46] or false dome,[47] these

Hemispherical Domes - Hemispherical domes are a half-sphere

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Oval Domes - Oval domes are a variation on the circular dome

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Rather than meeting in the center of the dome, the ribs

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

Dome with squinch

A dome is a rounded vault that forms a roof or ceiling, while

Dome with pendentives

A dome is a rounded vault that forms a roof or ceiling, while

E-BOOK BY SSAC INSTITUTE

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