How to build the arch?

Place the stencil on the base and start

assembling the arch from both ends one by
one. Place the keystone last to complete the
arch and remove the stencil

What
the
wedge?

Assembling a rainbow arch using

the simple machine wedge
 Keystone
The Wedge Voussoir
Extrados
A wedge is an object that tapers to a
thin edge. Pushing the wedge in one
direction creates a force in a sideways

-----------
direction. It is usually made of metal or Rise Springer
wood and is used for splitting, lifting, or -----------
Intrados
tightening, as in securing a hammer
head onto its handle.
Springing Line
The Arch
An arch is a structure constructed in
curved shape with wedge shaped units
(either bricks or stones), which are
jointed together with mortar, and
provided at openings to support the
The Keystone
weight of the wall above it along with
The keystone is a wedge shape stone.
other superimposed loads. Because of It's the last stone to be placed in the
its shape the loads from above gets centre of the arch and is the most
important stone within the structure.
distributed to supports (pier or
Each stone leans on each other and is
abutment). locked into place with the centre piece.
Without this final piece in position, the
arch would collapse.