Types of Arches

Types of Arches

Arches serve a variety of purposes in architectural design.types of arch They add beauty and elegance, and also provide strength and support. There are several types of arches, including segmental, elliptical, and pointed. Each type has its own unique properties and benefits. The Romans popularised semi-circular arches for bridges and large-scale architecture, and this shape has become known as the Roman arch. The pointed arch is widely used in Gothic architecture, and the lancet arch appears in France in the early Gothic architecture (Saint-Denis Abbey), and England in the late 12th and early 13th centuries (Salisbury Cathedral).

Each type of arch can be categorized according to how many centres it has.types of arch One-centred arches have a single centre, and include segmentsal, flat, horseshoe, and stilted arches. A perfectly circular arch provided for a circular window, commonly called the bull’s eye arch, also falls under this category. Two-centred arches have two centres, and include pointed, gothic, and lancet arches. A four-centred arch is defined by Venetian and Tudor arches. And, five-centred arches have a good semi-elliptical shape.

The most basic of arches is the triangular arch, which has an equilateral triangle for its base.types of arch These are commonly found in ancient stone structures, such as cairns and tombs. A slightly more refined version is a segmented triangular arch, which uses wedge-shaped blocks of rock (known as voussoirs) to form the arches. The voussoirs are held together by a keystone, which is placed in the middle of the arches. The voussoirs must be well-positioned and precisely cut so that they are pressed firmly against the walling of the spandrel.

There are also splayed-out or truncated triangular arches, which have a wider span than the narrower ones.types of arch These are often used in places where the stone is available in a limited number of sizes, and also to create a more decorative effect.

Generally, the thrust of an arch is transferred from the inner and outer curves to its abutments. This is done by making the springing line of the arch a perpendicular line from the ends of the skewback to the extrados. Ideally, the rise of the arch should be equal to a quarter of its width in order to effectively endure the arch’s thrust.

The parabolic arch, which is often found in contemporary designs, embodies a sense of sleekness and forward-looking elegance. Its smooth, continuous curves are also a symbol of the harmonious integration of mathematics and aesthetics. It is also the sturdiest of all arches, and can withstand considerable forces without buckling or collapsing. The elliptical arch, meanwhile, presents two distinct centers of curvature, and grants a graceful elongation that exudes sophistication.