NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Arch

An arch is a structure capable of spanning a space while supporting significant weight (e.g. a doorway in a stone wall). True arches appeared as early as the 2nd millenium BC in Mesopotamian brick architecture and in Persian ziggurats (see Chogha Zanbil). True arches were also built by the Babylonians in the 6th century BC (see Ishtar Gate ). The arch then spread to Europe and was adopted by the Ancient Greeks, Etruscans, and Ancient Romans. The arch became an important technique in medieval European cathedral building as well as Islamic architecture. Across the ocean in Mexico and Central America, Mesoamerican civilizations created various types of corbelled arches, such as with the interior tunnels in the Great Pyramid of Cholula and the many styles of corbelled arches built by the Mayan civilization. In Peru, the Inca civilization used a trapezoidal arch in their architecture. The arch is still used today in some modern structures such as bridges. Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Look up arch in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Span is a section between two intermediate supports of a bridge. ... A brick wall A wall is a usually solid structure that defines and sometimes protects an area. ... Mesopotamia was a cradle of civilization geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq. ... A model of the current Chogha Zanbil ziggurat, showing the other buildings in the vicinity of the main structure. ... Babylonia was an ancient state in Iraq), combining the territories of Sumer and Akkad. ... The reconstructed Ishtar Gate in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin A detail from the reconstructed gate. ... The term ancient Greece refers to the periods of Greek history in Classical Antiquity, lasting ca. ... The Etruscan civilization existed in Etruria and the Po valley in the northern part of what is now Italy, prior to the formation of the Roman Republic. ... Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew from a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula circa the 9th century BC to a massive empire straddling the Mediterranean Sea. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... For other uses, see Cathedral (disambiguation). ... Mesoamerica is the region extending from central Mexico south to the northwestern border of Costa Rica that gave rise to a group of stratified, culturally related agrarian civilizations spanning an approximately 3,000-year period before the European discovery of the New World by Columbus. ... A corbel arch (or corbeled / corbelled arch) is an arch-like construction method which uses the architectural technique of corbeling to span a space or void in a structure, such as an entranceway in a wall or as the span of a bridge. ... The Great Pyramid of Cholula, the worlds largest monument and largest Pre-Columbian pyramid by volume, is a huge complex located in Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. ... The adjective Mayan is sometimes used to refer to the indigenous peoples of parts of Mexico and Central America, their culture, language, and history. ... For other meanings of Inca, see Inca (disambiguation). ... This article is about the edifice (including an index to articles on specific bridge types). ...

History

Arches were first created and used by the Mesopotamian, Persian, Harappan, Egyptian, Babylonian, and Assyrian civilizations. Many arches were used in buildings and in monumental architecture, such as in the Ishtar Gate and the ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil. Other arches were used in underground structures such as drains where the problem of lateral thrust is greatly diminished. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 Ã— 1200 pixel, file size: 606 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 Ã— 1200 pixel, file size: 606 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... A Roman bridge in Vaison la Romaine, France Roman bridges, built by ancient Romans, were the first large and lasting bridges built. ... Roman bridge of AlcÃ¡ntara For other uses, see AlcÃ¡ntara (disambiguation). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2000x3008, 1489 KB) Beschreibung Description: Sankt Petersburg Eremitage Generalstab Ð¡Ð°Ð½ÐºÑ‚-ÐŸÐµÑ‚ÐµÑ€Ð±ÑƒÑ€Ð³ ÐÑ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ‚Ð°Ð¶ Date: 2005-08-14 photographer: Heidas Wikipedia account All pictures Please use this discussion page Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Arch Carlo Rossi (architect) Metadata This file... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2000x3008, 1489 KB) Beschreibung Description: Sankt Petersburg Eremitage Generalstab Ð¡Ð°Ð½ÐºÑ‚-ÐŸÐµÑ‚ÐµÑ€Ð±ÑƒÑ€Ð³ ÐÑ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ‚Ð°Ð¶ Date: 2005-08-14 photographer: Heidas Wikipedia account All pictures Please use this discussion page Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Arch Carlo Rossi (architect) Metadata This file... Palace Square is the central city square of St Petersburg and of the former Russian Empire. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and Petrograd (Петрогра́д, 1914–1924), is a city located in Northwestern Russia on the delta of the river Neva at the east end of the Gulf of Finland... Image File history File links BaraKaram. ... Image File history File links BaraKaram. ... Urdu ( , , trans. ... This is an article about the ancient middle eastern region. ... Look up Persian in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Harappan architecture is the architecture of the Harappans, an ancient people who lived in the Indus Valley from about 3300 BCE to 1600 BCE. The Harappans were advanced for their time, especially in architecture. ... For other uses, see Babylon (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Assyria (disambiguation). ... The reconstructed Ishtar Gate in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin A detail from the reconstructed gate. ... A model of the current Chogha Zanbil ziggurat, showing the other buildings in the vicinity of the main structure. ...

From the Middle East, knowledge of arch building spread to Europe. The ancient Romans learned the arch from the Etruscans (who originally migrated out of the Middle East), refined it and employed it for above ground buildings. Throughout the Roman empire, their engineers erected arch structures such as bridges, aqueducts, and gates. They also introduced the triumphal arch as a military monument. Vaults began to be used for roofing large interior spaces such as halls and temples, a function which was also assumed by domed structures from the 1st century BC onwards. A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... â€¹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... The Etruscan civilization existed in Etruria and the Po valley in the northern part of what is now Italy, prior to the formation of the Roman Republic. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... A Roman bridge in Vaison la Romaine, France Roman bridges, built by ancient Romans, were the first large and lasting bridges built. ... Pont du Gard, France, a Roman era aqueduct circa 19 BC. It is one of Frances top tourist attractions at over 1. ... A triumphal arch is a structure in the shape of a monumental archway, usually built to celebrate a victory in war. ... In architecture, a vault is an arched structure of masonry, forming a ceiling or canopy. ... For other uses, see Dome (disambiguation). ...

The Roman arch is semicircular, and built from an odd number of arch bricks (called voussoirs). You need an odd number of bricks for there to be a capstone or keystone. This the topmost stone in the arch. The Roman Arch's shape is the simplest to build, but not the strongest. There is a tendency for the sides to bulge outwards, which must be counteracted by an added weight of masonry to push them inwards. The Romans used this type of semicircular arch freely in many of their secular structures such as aqueducts, palaces and amphitheaters.^{[citation needed]} An element in an arch. ... In architecture, a keystone is the stone at the top of an arch. ... This article refers to the building structure component; for the fraternal organization, see Freemasonry. ...

The semicircular arch was followed in Europe by the pointed Gothic arch or ogive (derived from the Islamic pointed arch in Moorish Spain), whose centreline more closely followed the forces of compression and which was therefore stronger. The semicircular arch can be flattened to make an elliptical arch as in the Ponte Santa Trinita. The parabolic and catenary arches are now known to be the theoretically strongest forms. Parabolic arches were introduced in construction by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, who admired the structural system of Gothic style, but for the buttresses, that were designated by him “architectural crutches”. The catenary and parabolic arches carry all horizontal thrust to the foundation and so do not need additional elements. The western facade of Reims Cathedral, France. ... An ogive is a curved shape, figure, or feature. ... Al-Ä€ndalus (Arabic Ø§Ù„Ø£Ù†Ø¯Ù„Ø³) was the Arabic name given to the Iberian Peninsula by its Muslim inhabitants; it refers to both the Emirate (ca 750-929) and Caliphate of CÃ³rdoba (929-1031) and its taifa successor kingdoms specifically, and in general to territories under Muslim occupation (711-1492). ... For other uses, see Ellipse (disambiguation). ... Ponte Santa Trinita. ... A parabola A graph showing the reflective property, the directrix (light blue), and the lines connecting the focus and directrix to the parabola (blue) In mathematics, the parabola (from the Greek: Ï€Î±ÏÎ±Î²Î¿Î»Î®) (IPA pronunciation: ) is a conic section generated by the intersection of a right circular conical surface and a plane... For the railroad term see Overhead lines For its use in ring theory, see Catenary ring. ... Sagrada FamÃlia church, by GaudÃ Spanish architecture refers to architecture carried out during any era in what is now modern-day Spain, and by Spanish architects worldwide. ... Antoni GaudÃ i Cornet (Riudoms or Reus, 25 June 1852 â€“ Barcelona, 10 June 1926) â€“ sometimes referred to by the Spanish translation of his name, Antonio GaudÃ â€“ was a Catalan architect, who belonged to the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) movement and was famous for his unique style and highly individualistic designs. ... Gothic architecture characterizes any of the styles of European architecture, particularly associated with cathedrals and other churches, in use throughout Europe during the high and late medieval period, from the 12th century onwards. ... A knee support crutch A patient using underarm crutches A typical forearm crutch Crutches are medical tools used in the event that ones leg or legs may be injured or unable to support weight. ...

The horseshoe arch is based on the semicircular arch, but its lower ends are extended further round the circle until they start to converge. The first examples known are carved into rock in India in the first century AD, while the first known built horseshoe arches are known from Aksum (modern day Ethiopia and Eritrea) from around the 3rd–4th century, around the same time as the earliest contemporary examples in Syria, suggesting either an Aksumite or Syrian origin for the type of arch.^[1] It was used in Spanish Visigothic architecture, Islamic architecture and mudéjar architecture, as in the Great Mosque of Damascus and in later Moorish buildings. It was used for decoration rather than for strength. The Kingdom of Aksum (or Axum, Geez áŠ áŠáˆ±áˆ), was an important trading nation in northeastern Africa, growing from the proto-Aksumite period ca. ... The interior of the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. ... Teruel: Tower of the Cathedral, one of ten MudÃ©jar monuments of AragÃ³n that comprise the World Heritage Site The Courtyard of the Dolls in the AlcÃ¡zar of Seville Tower of the Santa marÃa church in Calatayud Las Ventas, Madrids Neo-MudÃ©jar bullfighting ring Mud... The Masjid al-Haram in Mecca as it exists today A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... For other uses, see Damascus (disambiguation). ... For the terrain type see Moor Moors is used in this article to describe the medieval Muslim inhabitants of al-Andalus and the Maghreb, whose culture is often called Moorish. For other meanings look at Moors (Meaning) or Blackamoors. ...

In Mexico and Central America, Mesoamerican civilizations created various types of corbelled arches, such as with the interior tunnels in the Great Pyramid of Cholula and the many styles of corbelled arches built by the Mayan civilization. Mesoamerica is the region extending from central Mexico south to the northwestern border of Costa Rica that gave rise to a group of stratified, culturally related agrarian civilizations spanning an approximately 3,000-year period before the European discovery of the New World by Columbus. ... A corbel arch (or corbeled / corbelled arch) is an arch-like construction method which uses the architectural technique of corbeling to span a space or void in a structure, such as an entranceway in a wall or as the span of a bridge. ... The Great Pyramid of Cholula, the worlds largest monument and largest Pre-Columbian pyramid by volume, is a huge complex located in Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. ... The adjective Mayan is sometimes used to refer to the indigenous peoples of parts of Mexico and Central America, their culture, language, and history. ...

Construction

An arch requires all of its elements to hold it together, raising the question of how an arch is constructed. One answer is to build a frame (historically, of wood) which exactly follows the form of the underside of the arch. This is known as a centre or centring. The voussoirs are laid on it until the arch is complete and self-supporting. For an arch higher than head height, scaffolding would in any case be required by the builders, so the scaffolding can be combined with the arch support. Occasionally arches would fall down when the frame was removed if construction or planning had been incorrect. (The A85 bridge at Dalmally, Scotland suffered this fate on its first attempt, in the 1940s). The interior and lower line or curve of an arch is known as the intrados. Image File history File links ValvbÃ¥ge. ... Image File history File links ValvbÃ¥ge. ... An isometric drawing of a cube. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... An element in an arch. ... The A85 is a major road in Scotland. ...

Old arches sometimes need reinforcement due to decay of the keystones, known as bald arch. Bald arch is a technical term used by engineers to describe the decay of the crucial key stones in medieval buildings, particularly churches and cathedrals. ...

The gallery shows arch forms displayed in roughly the order in which they were developed.

Triangular arch Image File history File links TreledsbÃ¥ge. ...	Round arch or Semi-circular arch Image File history File links File links The following pages link to this file: Arch ...	Segmental arch Image File history File links SegmentbÃ¥ge. ...	Unequal round arch or Rampant round arch Image File history File links Stigande bÃ¥ge. ...
Lancet arch Image File history File links LansettbÃ¥ge. ...	Equilateral pointed arch Image File history File links SpetsbÃ¥ge. ...	Shouldered flat arch -see also jack arch Image File history File links SkulderbÃ¥ge. ...	Three-foiled cusped arch Image File history File links TrepassbÃ¥ge. ...
Horseshoe arch Image File history File links HÃ¤stskobÃ¥ge. ...	Three-centered arch Image File history File links File links The following pages link to this file: Arch ...	Elliptical arch Image File history File links EllipsbÃ¥ge. ...	Inflexed arch Image File history File links DraperibÃ¥ge. ...
Ogee arch Image File history File links KÃ¶lbÃ¥ge. ... Ogee Arch Ogee is a shape consisting of a concave arc flowing into a convex arc, so forming an S-shaped curve with vertical ends. ...	Reverse ogee arch Image File history File links KarnisbÃ¥ge. ... Ogee Arch Ogee is a shape consisting of a concave arc flowing into a convex arc, so forming an S-shaped curve with vertical ends. ...	Tudor arch Image File history File links TudorbÃ¥ge. ... Tudor arch Windows - Kings College Chapel in Cambridge, England Tudor arch, a low, wide arch, was a common architectural element in the Tudor period in England. ...	Catenary or Parabolic arch Image File history File links ParabelbÃ¥ge. ... For the railroad term see Overhead lines For its use in ring theory, see Catenary ring. ... A parabola A parabola (from the Greek: παραβολή) is a conic section generated by the intersection of a cone, and a plane tangent to the cone or parallel to some plane tangent to the cone. ...

Technical aspects

The arch is significant because, in theory at least, it provides a structure which eliminates tensile stresses in spanning an open space. All the forces are resolved into compressive stresses. This is useful because several of the available building materials such as stone, cast iron and concrete can strongly resist compression but are very weak when tension, shear or torsional stress is applied to them. By using the arch configuration, significant spans can be achieved. This is because all the compressive forces hold it together in a state of equilibrium. This even applies to frictionless surfaces. However, one downside is that an arch pushes outward at the base, and this needs to be restrained in some way, either with heavy sides and friction or angled cuts into bedrock or similar. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1285 KB) åŒ—äº¬é¢å’Œå›çš„é«˜æ¢æ¡¥ã€‚ Gaoliang Bridge of The Summer Palace. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1285 KB) åŒ—äº¬é¢å’Œå›çš„é«˜æ¢æ¡¥ã€‚ Gaoliang Bridge of The Summer Palace. ... An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. ... Tensile stress (or tension) is the stress state leading to expansion; that is, the length of a material tends to increase in the tensile direction. ... Compressive stress is the stress applied to materials resulting in their compaction (decrease of volume). ... This article is about the geological substance. ... Cast iron usually refers to grey cast iron, but can mean any of a group of iron-based alloys containing more than 2% carbon (alloys with less carbon are carbon steel by definition). ... This article is about the construction material. ... Tensile stress (or tension) is the stress state leading to expansion; that is, the length of a material tends to increase in the tensile direction. ... Shear stress is a stress state where the stress is parallel or tangential to a face of the material, as opposed to normal stress when the stress is perpendicular to the face. ... // Mathmatics In mathematics, the term torsion has several meanings, mostly unrelated to each other. ...

This same principle holds when the force acting on the arch is not vertical such as in spanning a doorway, but horizontal, such as in arched retaining walls or dams. For other uses, see Force (disambiguation). ... A gravity-type stone retaining wall A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil or rock from a building, structure or area. ... This article is about structures for water impoundment. ...

Even when using concrete, where the structure may be monolithic, the principle of the arch is used so as to benefit from the concrete's strength in resisting compressive stress. Where any other form of stress is raised, it has to be resisted by carefully placed reinforcement rods or fibres. (See Arch bridge.) A tied rebar beam cage. ... An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. ...

Other types

A blind arch is an arch infilled with solid construction so it cannot function as a window, door, or passageway. Download high resolution version (1496x1134, 286 KB) From [1]; see also the Commons (Media:Delicatearch. ... Download high resolution version (1496x1134, 286 KB) From [1]; see also the Commons (Media:Delicatearch. ... Delicate Arch Delicate Arch is a freestanding natural arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA. It is the most widely-recognized landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on both Utah license plates and a postage stamp commemorating Utahs centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996. ... Simple front-on view of the Arc de Triomphe. ... Simple front-on view of the Arc de Triomphe. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew from a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula circa the 9th century BC to a massive empire straddling the Mediterranean Sea. ... Blind arches at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. A blind arch is an arch found in the wall of a building which has been infilled with solid construction so it cannot serve as a passageway, door, or window. ...

A dome is a three-dimensional application of the arch, rotated about the center axis. Igloos are notable early structures making use of domes. For other uses, see Dome (disambiguation). ... Igloo An igloo (Inuit language: iglu, Inuktitut syllabics: áƒá’¡á“—, house, plural: iglooit or igluit, but in English commonly igloos), translated sometimes as snowhouse, is a shelter constructed from blocks of snow, generally in the form of a dome. ...

Natural rock formations may also be referred to as arches. These natural arches are formed by erosion rather than being carved or constructed by man. See Arches National Park for examples. Rainbow Bridge was formed by a meandering watercourse. ... For morphological image processing operations, see Erosion (morphology). ... Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations. ...

A special form of the arch is the triumphal arch, usually built to celebrate a victory in war. A famous example is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. A triumphal arch is a structure in the shape of a monumental archway, usually built to celebrate a victory in war. ... This article is about the monument in Paris. ... This article is about the capital of France. ...

A vault is an application of the arch extended horizontally in two dimensions; the groin vault is the intersection of two vaults. The Lierne vault of the Liebfrauenkirche, MÃ¼hlacker 1482. ... GÃ¥rdslÃ¶sa Church, Ã–land, Sweden A groin vault or groined vault (also sometimes known as a double barrel vault or cross vault) is a vault produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults. ...

Gallery