The arch is a curved structure that has been used for construction since ancient times (however, not all ancient civilizations used it). With this new element, people discovered brand new possibilities: the beam was not the major structure anymore. The arch not only bears great loads with a major span between posts. It also creates a wide range of beautiful forms and designs.
The arch has several parts or components. The most important are the key stone (the one that bears almost the whole load of the structure and is responsible for its balance), the posts, the capital and the vossuoirs. The arch has also certain measures based on the display of the different parts: we have the crown, the span and the rise, among others.
There are also different types of arches: the round arch, the ogee arch, the horseshoe arch, the three-foiled cusped arch, the lancet arch and the Tudor arch, among many others. There`s a special type of arch, the parabolic arch, that was used very often by Antonio Gaudi. It`s a very complex structure that creates beautiful spaces, but is the most difficult arch to be built.
The arch has several parts or components. The most important are the key stone (the one that bears almost the whole load of the structure and is responsible for its balance), the posts, the capital and the vossuoirs. The arch has also certain measures based on the display of the different parts: we have the crown, the span and the rise, among others.
There are also different types of arches: the round arch, the ogee arch, the horseshoe arch, the three-foiled cusped arch, the lancet arch and the Tudor arch, among many others. There`s a special type of arch, the parabolic arch, that was used very often by Antonio Gaudi. It`s a very complex structure that creates beautiful spaces, but is the most difficult arch to be built.