An arch constructed of individual stone or brick voussoirs

An arch shaped to develop only axial compression under a given loading. This shape may be found by inverting the funicular shape for a cable carrying a similar loading pattern. It is subject to bending if the loading pattern changes.

A fixed frame structure having an arched form

An arched structure of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete, constructed as rigid body capable of carrying bending stresses

A two-hinged frame structure having an arched form

A three-hinged frame structure having an arched form

Any of the wedge-shaped units in a masonry arch or vault, having side cuts converging at one of the arch centers

The first voussoir resting on the impost of an arch

The wedge-shaped, often embellished voussoir at the crown of an arch, serving to lock the other voussoirs in place

The height of an arch from the spring line to the highest point of the intrados

The exterior curve, surface, or boundary of the visible face of an arch. Also called back.

A decorative molding or band on the face of an arch following the curve of the intrados

The inner curve or surface of an arch forming the concave underside

The point at which an arch, vault, or dome rises from its support. Also, springing.

The highest part or point of a convex construction, such as an arch, vault, or roadway

Either side of an arch curving down from the crown to the impost

The uppermost part of an abutment, often in the form of a block, capital, or molding, from which an arch springs

The triangular-shaped, sometimes ornamented area between the extrados of two adjoining arches, or between the left or right extrados of an arch and the rectangular framework surrounding it

An archway having sides or jambs not at right angles with the face of its abutments

Any of several concentric rings of masonry forming an arch, esp. when each projects beyond the one below

A temporary framework for supporting a masonry arch or vault during construction until the work can support itself

A board used as centering for a flat arch, slightly crowned to allow for settling of the arch. Also called camber slip

A crosspiece connecting the ribs in a centering. Also called bolster.

The manner in which an arch transforms the vertical forces of a supported load into inclined components and transmits them to abutments on either side of the archway

The median line of an arched structure

The set of resultants of thrust and weight each part of an arch imposes on the next lower one. For bending to be eliminated throughout an arch, this must coincide with the arch axis.

The outward force or pressure exerted by one part of a structure against another

The thrust of an arched structure on its abutments, proportional to the total load and span, and inversely proportional to the rise

The part of a structure receiving and supporting the thrust of an arch, vault, or strut

An iron or steel rod serving as a structural tie, esp. one keeping the lower ends of an arch or frame from spreading

A stone or course of masonry having a sloping face against which the end of a segmental arch rests

An arch having a horizontal intrados with voussoirs radiating from a center below, often built with a slight camber to allow for settling. Also called jack arch.

An arch having a continuously curved intrados, esp. a semicircular one

A flat arch having voussoirs inclined to the same angle on each side of the center

An arch having a semicircular intrados

An arch struck from one or more centers below the springing line

A primitive form of arch consisting of two stones laid diagonally to support each other over an opening

A false arch constructed by corbeling courses from each side of an opening until they meet at a midpoint where a capstone is laid to complete the work. The stepped reveals may be smoothed, but no arch action is effected.

An arch having one impost higher than the other

An arch resting on imposts treated as downward continuations of the archivolt

A round arch resting on two large corbels with curved faces

An arch having an intrados that widens above the springing before narrowing to a rounded crown. Also called Moorish arch.

An arch having a cusped intrados with three round or pointed foils

A three-centered arch having a crown with a radius much greater than that of the outer pair of curves. Also called anse de panier

An arch having a pointed crown

A pointed arch having two centers and radii equal to the span

A pointed arch, esp. one having two centers and equal radii

A four-centered arch having an inner pair of curves with a radius much greater than that of the outer pair

A pointed arch having two centers and radii greater than the span

A pointed arch having two centers and radii less than the span

A pointed arch having two centers and radii less than the span

A pointed arch, each haunch of which is a double curve with the concave side uppermost