ARCHES AND LINTELS

ARC
HE
ARCHES:
An arch is a curved structure that is
usually made of stone, brick, concrete,
or, more recently, steel. Its purpose is to
support or strengthen a building.
OR
An arch is a structure constructed in
curved shape with wedge shaped units
(either bricks or stones), which are
jointed together with mortar, and
provided at openings to support the
weight of the wall above it along with
other superimposed loads.
• Intrados-The inner curve of an arch is
called as intrados.
• Extrados-The outer curve of an arch is
termed as extrados.
• Soffit in an Arch-The inner surface of
an arch is called soffit. Soffit and
intrados are used synonymously.
• Voussoirs -The wedge-shaped units of
masonry which are forming an arch is
called as voussoirs.
• Crown of an Arch-The highest part are
peak point of extrados is called crown.
• Keystone-The wedge shaped
unit which is fixed at the crown
of the arch is called keystone.
• Spandrel in an Arch-If two
arches are constructed side by
side, then a curved triangular
space is formed between the
extrados with the base as
horizontal line through the
crown. This space is called as
spandrel.
• Skew Back
• This is an inclined surface or
splayed surface on abutment, from
which arch curve starts or ends.
• Springing Points-The imaginary
points which are responsible for the
springing of curve of an arch are
called as springing points.
• Springing Line-The imaginary line
joining the springing points of either
ends is called as springing line.
• Springer in Arches-The first voussoir
Haunch-The lower half of the arch
at springing level which is immediately
adjacent to the skewback is called as between the crown and skewback is
springer. called haunch. Highlighted area in
the below fig is haunch.
Arcade- The row of arches in
continuation is called arcade.
• Ring-The circular course forming an arch is called as
arch ring. An arch may be formed by one ring or
combinations of rings.
• Impost-The projecting course is provided on the upper
part of a pier or abutment to stress the springing line. This
course is called impost.
• Bed Joints-The joints between the voussoirs are called
bed joints. These bed joints are radiate from center of
arch. 
• Center of an Arch-The geometrical point based on which
the arcs forming intrados of arch, extrados of arch and
arch rings are described is the center or striking point.
• Span of an Arch-The clear horizontal distance between
the supports or abutments or piers is termed as span of an
arch.
• Rise of an Arch-The clear vertical distance between
the highest point on the intrados and the springing
line is called as rise.
• Depth or Height of an Arch-The perpendicular
distance between the intrados of arch to the extrados
of arch is called depth of an arch or height of an arch.
• Thickness of an Arch-This is the breadth of soffit
which is measured perpendicular to the front and
back faces of an arch. Colored area in the below
figure is the thickness of an arch.
• Pier and Abutment of an Arch-The intermediate
support of an arch is called as pier. The end support
of an arch is called as abutment.
• Types of arches based on shape, material of construction,
workmanship and number of centers are discussed here. An arch is
constructed in curved shape due to which loads from above is
distributed to supports (pier or abutment).
• Types of Arches- Arches are classified based on:
• Shape
• Number of Centre’s
• Workmanship
• Materials of construction
• Flat Arch
• For flat arch, the intrados is apparently
flat and it acts as a base of equilateral
triangle which was formed by the
horizontal angle of 600 by skewbacks.
• Even though the intrados is flat but it
is given that a slight rise of camber of
about 10 to 15 mm per meter width of
opening is allowed for small
settlements.
• Extrados is also horizontal and flat.
These flat arches are generally used
for light loads, and for spans up to
1.5m.
• Segmental Arch
• This is the basic type of arch used for buildings in which Centre of
arch lies below the springing line.
• In segmental arch, the thrust Transferred in inclined direction to the
abutment.
• Semi-Circular Arch
• The shape of arch curve looks like semi-circle and the thrust
transferred to the abutments is perfectly vertical direction since
skewback is horizontal. In this type of arch, the Centre lies exactly
on the springing line.
• Horse Shoe Arch - Horse Shoe Arch
is in the shape of horse shoe which
curves more than semi-circle. This is
generally considered for architectural
provisions.
• Pointed Arch - The other name of
pointed arch is Gothic arch. In this
type of arch two arcs of circles are
met at the apex hence triangle is
formed. This may be either isosceles
or equilateral.
• Venetian Arch - Venetian arch is also pointed arch but its crown is deeper
than springing’s. It contains four Centre’s, all located on the springing line.
• Relieving Arch - Relieving arch is constructed above flat arch or on a
wooden lintel to provide greater strength. In case of relieving arch, we can
replace the decayed wooden lintel easily without disturbing the stability of
structure. The ends of this arch should be carried sufficiently into the
abutments.
• Stilted Arch - Stilted Arch consists of a semi-
circular arch with two vertical portions at the
springing’s. The Centre of arch lies on the
horizontal line through the tops of vertical
portions.
• Semi-Elliptical Arch - This is a type of arch of
semi-ellipse shape and having three or five
Centers.
 Types of Arches based on number of
Centers
• One-centered Arches - Segmental, semi-
circular, flat, horse-shoe arches and stilted arches
are one centered arches. In some cases, perfectly
circular arch is provided for circular windows
which is called as bull’s eye arch is also come
under these category.
• Two Centered Arches - Pointed or gothic or
lancet arches are generally come under this type.
• Three Centered Arches - Semi elliptical and
Florentine arches are generally having three
number of centers
• Four Centered Arches - Venetian arch is a
typical example for four-centered arch. Tudor
arch is also having four centers.
• Five centered arches - A good semi-elliptical
shape arch contains five centers.
Types of Arches based on Workmanship
and Construction Materials
• Rubble arches
• Rubble arches are very weak and used only
for inferior work. These are used up to spans
of 1m. These are made of rubble stones which
are hammer dressed, roughly to shape and
size and fixed in cement mortar. Sometimes
these are also used as relieving arches up to a
depth of 37.5cm, but these are constructed in
one ring. If the depth is more, we can go for
two rings in alternate course of headers and
stretchers.
• Ashlar Arches
• In this type, the stones are cut to proper
shape of voussoirs (a wedge-shaped or
tapered stone used to construct an arch) and
fully dressed, joined with cement mortar.
Ashlar stones are also used to make flat
arches.
• Rough brick arches
• These are constructed with ordinary bricks
without cutting to the shape voussoirs. The
arch curve is provided by forming wedge
shaped joints with greater thickness at
extrados and smaller thickness at intrados.
So, it looks unattractive. That’s why it is
not recommended for exposed brick works.
• Axed brick arches
• The bricks are cut into wedge shape with the
help of brick axe. So, these are roughly
dressed in shape and size. Hence, Arch formed
by these axed bricks is not very pleasant.
• Gauged brick arches
• In this type arch, bricks are cut to exact shape
and size of required voussoir with the help of
wire saw. The bricks are finely dressed and
these bricks are joined by lime putty. But, for
gauged brick arches only soft bricks are used.
• Purpose made brick arches
• The bricks are manufactured, matching with
the exact shape and size of voussoirs, to get a
very fine workmanship.
• Precast concrete block arches
• In Precast concrete block arches the blocks
are cast in molds to the exact shape and size
of voussoirs. For key stone and skewbacks
special molds are prepared. These will give
good appearance because of exact shape and
size. Cement concrete of 1:2:4 is used.
• Monolithic concrete block arches
• Monolithic concrete block arches are
suitable for larger span. These are
constructed form cast-in-situ concrete.
These may be either plain or reinforced,
depending upon the span and magnitude of
loading. Form work is used for casting the
arch. The curing is done for 2 to 4 weeks.
Stability of an arches
• Crushing of the arch material
• Rotation or overturning of joints about an edge
• Sliding of voussoirs
• Uneven settlements of abutments and piers
• Crushing of the arch material
• If the compressive stress exceeds the safe crushing strength of the masonry unit
and mortar , the arch will fail in crushing.
1. The material should be of adequate strength and size of voussoirs and should be
properly designed to bear the thrust transmitted through them.
2. The height of voussoirs should not be less than 1/12th of the span or
3. For span up to 1.5 m = 20cm
4. Between 1.5-4 m = 30cm
5. Between 4-7.5 m = 40cm
• Rotation or overturning of joints about an edge
• If the line of resistance is kept within intrados and extrados.
• Also, the line of thrust should be made to cross the joint away from the edge to
prevent the crushing of that edge. 
• SLIDING OF VOUSSOIRS
• To safeguard against sliding of voussoirs past each other due to transverse
shear ,the voussoirs of greater height should be provided.
• All bed joints should be perpendicular to the line of least resistance.
• Uneven settlements of abutments and piers
• Uneven settlement of abutment ,which causes secondary stresses in arch.
Hence, the abutment which has ultimately to bear all the load transferred to the
arch , should be strong enough.
• Also, the arch should be symmetrical , so that unequal settlements of the two
abutment is minimized.
Method of construction for arch
1. Installation of centering for arch (formwork)
2. Actual laying of arch – work or course
3. Striking or removal of centering
• A temporary structure is required to
support the voussoirs during construction.
Is known as centering of arch.
• Material = Timber or Mild steel
• If the soffits is wider than 10cm two ribs suitably spaced and shaped at top.
• These ribs may be connected by 4X2 cm wooden section called laggings.