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Anatomy and Components of an Arch

An arch is a curved structure that supports weight through wedge-shaped blocks. The weight is transferred through supports at either end called piers or abutments. Arches function by having their various components, like voussoirs and springing stones, support each other and the load above. Key components include the abutments, intrados, extrados, arch ring, voussoirs, crown, springing line, keystone, and span.

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61 views3 pages

Anatomy and Components of an Arch

An arch is a curved structure that supports weight through wedge-shaped blocks. The weight is transferred through supports at either end called piers or abutments. Arches function by having their various components, like voussoirs and springing stones, support each other and the load above. Key components include the abutments, intrados, extrados, arch ring, voussoirs, crown, springing line, keystone, and span.

Uploaded by

Ally Mbamba
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

An arch is a curved shaped structure constructed with wedges shaped unit to support the weight of the

wall above it. In an arch, blocks/bricks are arranged in such manner that it can support each other and
load of bricks above it.

The weight of the above wall is transferred through piers or abutments.

Arch can support the load of the wall above it through its various components.

Parts of an arch:

1. abutment

Is the support on which an arch rest.

Both terms are used interchangeably but there is slight deference. Abutments are the end supports
when multiples arches are there and piers are common support for two arches.

2. Soffit or Intrados

Soffit or intrados is the inner surface of an arch

3. Extrados

Exterior surface of an arch or the external surface is called an extrados.

4. Arch Ring

An arch ring is the set of bricks or blocks having curves similar to that of an arch.

5. Arch Block or Voussoirs

These are wedge-shaped structure that forms the arch.

6. Crown

The highest part of an arch or the top most point of the extrados is called a clown.

7. Springer or springing stone

This is the first block stone of an arch block or voussoir.

8. Springing line

The line joining the two springing stones on both sides of the arch is called the springing line.

9. Springing point

Extremities of the intrados are called the springing point.

10. Key stone

This is the top most wedge shaped block of an arch.


11. Striking point or Centre of Arch

This is geometric point of an arch forming arch rings, intrados of arch and extrados of arch.

12. Span of arch

Is the horizontal distance between the two supports, that is between piers or abutments.

13. Skew-back

Is the surface on which an arch is supported.

14. Rise of arch

The vertical distance between the springing line and the topmost point on intrados is called as the rise of
an arch.

15. Depth of arch

Is the perpendicular distance between the intrados and extrados.

16. Spandril

Triangular walling surrounded by the extrados of the arch, horizontal line from crown of arch, and
perpendicular line from rising of the outer curves are called the spandril.

17. Haunch

This is the part below the line joining the crown of arch and skew back.

18. Arcade

The raw of arch in construction is called arcade.

19. Ring

Is the circular course that forming an arch. An arch may be formed by single ring or combination of rings.

20. Impost

The projecting course is provided on the upper part of a pier or abutment to stress the springing line.

This course is called impost.

21. Bed Joints

The joints between the voussoirs are called bed joints. These bed joints radiate from the centre of arch.

22. Thickness of an arch

This is the breadth of soffit which is measured perpendicular to the front and back faces of an arch.

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