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. A corbel vault uses this technique to support the superstructure of a building's roof. It has been suggested that Voussoir, Keystone (architecture) be merged into this article or section. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Elaborately decorated classical-style stone corbels support balconies on a building in Indianapolis. ...

A corbel arch is constructed by offsetting successive courses of stone at the springline of the walls so that they project towards the archway's center from each supporting side, until the courses meet at the apex of the archway (often capped with flat stones). For a corbeled vault covering the technique is extended in three dimensions along the lengths of two opposing walls.

Although an improvement in load-bearing efficiency over the post and lintel design, corbeled arches are not entirely self-supporting structures, and it is sometimes termed a "false arch" for this reason. Unlike "true" arches, not all of the structure's tensile stresses caused by the weight of the superstructure are transformed into compressive stresses. Corbel arches and vaults require significantly thickened walls and an abutment of other stone or fill to counteract the effects of gravity, which otherwise would tend to collapse each side of the archway inwards. Categories: Move to Wiktionary | Buildings and structures stubs ... It has been suggested that Voussoir, Keystone (architecture) be merged into this article or section. ... 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). ... An Abutment is the end supports of a bridge superstructure. ... Gravity is a force of attraction that acts between bodies that have mass. ...

Use in historical cultures

Maya civilization

Maya corbel arch at Cahal Pech.

The "tomb of Clytemnestra".

Corbeled arches are a distinctive feature of certain pre-Columbian Mesoamerican constructions and historical/regional architectural styles, particularly in that of the Maya civilization. The prevalence of this spanning technique for entrances and vaults in Maya architecture is attested at a great many Maya archaeological sites, and is known from structures dating back to the Formative or Preclassic era. By the beginning of the Classic era (ca. 250 CE) corbeled vaults are a near-universal feature of building construction in the central Petén Basin region of the central Maya lowlands.^[1] Image File history File links 5273_aquaimages. ... Image File history File links 5273_aquaimages. ... Cahal Pech is a Maya site located near the Town of San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize. ... Download high resolution version (1280x960, 259 KB)Photo by Adam Carr File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (1280x960, 259 KB)Photo by Adam Carr File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The cultural areas of Mesoamerica Mesoamerica or Meso-America (Spanish: Mesoamérica) was a geographical culture area extending from central Honduras and northwestern Costa Rica on the south, and, in Mexico, from the Soto la Marina River in Tamaulipas and the Rio Fuerte in Sinaloa on the north. ... 74. ... The Lierne vault of the Liebfrauenkirche, Mühlacker 1482. ... As unique and spectacular as any Greek or Roman architecture, Maya architecture spans many thousands of years. ... The pre-Columbian Maya civilization of Mesoamerica left a great number of archaeological sites in what are now the nations of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. ... Mesoamerican chronology The chronology of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica is usually divided into the following eras: Paleo-Indian Period c. ... Era Vulgaris redirects here. ... The Petén Basin is a geographical subregion of Mesoamerica, located in the northern portion of the modern-day nation of Guatemala, and essentially contained within the department of El Petén. ...

Ancient Greece

The ruins of ancient Mycenae feature many corbel arches and vaults, the "Tomb of Clytemnestra" being a prominent example. A clay tablet with writing in Linear B from Mycenae. ...

Notes

References

• Coe, Michael D. (1987). The Maya, 4th edition (revised), London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-27455-X.