An external support built to stabilize a structure by opposing its outward thrusts, esp. a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall

A course of keystones in the crown of a masonry vault

A horizontal course forming the abutments or springers of a masonry vault

An arch for stiffening a barrel vault or supporting a groin vault

A bay between two transverse arches in a vaulted structure

A vault constructed by corbeling courses of stone masonry. The resulting stepped surface can be smoothed or cuved, but no arch action is incurred.

An inclined bar of masonry carried on a segmental arch and transmitting an outward and downward thrust from a roof or vault to a solid buttress that through its mass transforms the thrust into a vertical one. Also called arc-boutant.

A subordinate vertical structure terminating in a pyramid or spire, used esp. in Gothic architecture to add weight to a buttress pier

The part of a pier that rises to take the thrust of a flying buttress

A sloping top on a buttress or projecting pier to shed rainwater

A projecting edge of a buttress

A shaft that leads to the springer of a rib or group of ribs, either rising from the ground or from a corbel at a greater height in the face of the masonry

A distinct, slender, vertical masonry feature engaged in a wall or pier and supporting or feigning to support an arch or a ribbed vault

A vault having a semi-circular cross section

A vault having a circular cross section that is larger at one end than the other

A vault springing from an abutment higher at one side than at the other

A barrel vault having a circular plan in the shape of a ring

A compound vault formed by the perpendicular intersection of two vaults, forming arched diagonal arrises called groins. Also called cross vault.

A compound vault having a central vault intersected by vaults of lower pitch. Also called Welsh vault.

A vault supported by or decorated with arched diagonal ribs

A rib vault divided into four parts by intersecting diagonal ribs

A rib vault divided into six compartments by two diagonal ribs and three transverse ribs

A compound vault for covering a triangular space, formed by the intersection of three barrel vaults

A surface framed by the ribs of a ribbed vault

Any of several arch-like members supporting a vault at the groins, defining its distinct surfaces or dividing these surfaces into panels

A rib spanning the longitudinal axis of a rib vault and dividing it into bays or compartments. Also called transverse rib.

A rib springing from a point of support on either side of the ogives or transverse ribs of a rib vault. Also called intermediate rib.

A rib against a wall, parallel to the longitudinal axis of a rib vault

An ornamental, knob-like projection, such as a carved keystone at the intersection of ogives

A sculptured ornament suspended from a roof truss, vault, or ceiling. Also called drop.

A compound vault having a narrower transverse vault springing from a higher level so that the ridges are at the same height

A vault composed of a number of concave conoidal sections, usually four, springing from the corners of the vaulting compartment, often decorated with ribs that radiate from the springing like the framework of a fan

A vault having ribs, liernes, or tiercerons arranged in a star-shaped pattern. Also called stellar vault.

A compound vault formed by four coves meeting along diagonal vertical planes. Also called coved vault.

The keystone at the crown of an arch or at the intersection of two or more vaulting ribs

A horizontal rib marking the crown of a vaulting compartment

A rib crossing a compartment of a rib vault on a diagonal

An ornamental vaulting rib other than one springing from a pier or a ridge rib