TYPES OF

ARCHES
AND CLASSIFICATION
PARTS OF AN ARCH
SEMI CIRCULAR ARCH

•  the Semicircular Arch forms a half circle and is a major feature

of all Roman architecture. A strong structure, thisarch is often
found in bridges and aqueducts. It appears a simple arch to
manufacture, as each voussoir is identical in taper to its
neighbour.
SEGMENTAL ARCH

• The segmental arch is one of the

strongest arches because it is able to resist thrust. To
prevent failure, a segmental arch must have a rise that
is equal to at least one-eighth the width of the span.
RAMPANT ARCH

•  an arch whose support is higher on one side than on the

other. arch - (architecture) a masonry construction (usually
curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight
above it.
POINTED ARCH

• A pointed arch is an archway with curved sides that meet at a

point, rather than a smooth semi-circular curve. This design
was first used in medieval Islamic architecture, where
engineers realized it concentrated the stress of the building
and allowed for taller arches, thinner walls, and much more
interior space.
FLAT ARCH

• an arch with a flat lower or inner curve.

•  an arch with mutually supporting voussoirs that has a
straight horizontal extrados and intrados
HORSE SHOE

•  an arch formed in the shape of

• a horseshoe
• an arch having an intrados that
• widens above the springing before
• narrowing to a rounded or pointed crown
SEMI ELLIPTICAL ARCH

• An arch having the shape of half
 an ellipse; in its construction, the
 ellipse is often approximated by
 three adjoining circular arcs.
OGEE ARCH

• an arch with two ogee

curves meeting at the
apex.
FLORENTINE ARCH AND VENETIAN
ARCH

Intrados of arch is in the shape of
semi-circle and rest of the arch is
similar to Venetian arch. It has
three Centre’s, all located on the
springing line.
Venetian arch is also pointed arch but
its crown is deeper than springing’s.
It contains four Centre’s, all located
on the springing line.
RELIEVING ARCH

Relieving arch is constructed above flat arch or on a wooden lintel

to provide greater strength.. The ends of this arch should be
carried sufficiently into the abutments.
STILTED ARCH

• Stilted Arch consists of a semi-circular

arch with two vertical portions at the
springing’s.
ONE CENTERED ARCH

Segmental, semi-circular, flat, horse-shoe arches

and stilted arches are one centered arches. In some
cases, perfectly circular arch is provided for circular
windows which is called as bull’s eye arch is also come
under these category.
TWO CWNTWERED ARCH

• Pointed or gothic or lancet arches are generally come under this

type.
THREE CENTERED ARCH

Semi elliptical and Florentine arches are generally having three

number of centers
FOUR CENTERED ARCH

• Venetian arch is a typical example for four-centered arch.

Tudor arch is also having four centers.
FIVE CENTERED ARCH
• A good semi-elliptical shape arch contains five centers.
 STONE ARCH
-RUBBLE
• Rubble arches are very weak
and used only for inferior work.
• These are used up to spans of 1m.
• These are made of rubble stones
which are hammer dressed,
roughly to shape and size and
fixed in cement mortar.
ASHLAR

In this type, the stones are cut to proper shape of

voussoirs (a wedge-shaped or tapered stone used to
construct an arch) and fully dressed, joined with cement
mortar. Ashlar stones are also used to make flat arches.
BRICK ARCHES

ROUGH BRICK ARCH AXED BRICK ARCH

PURPOSE MADE BRICK ARCH GUAGED BRICK

ARCH
 CONCRETE ARCHES

In Precast concrete block arches Monolithic concrete block arches

the blocks are cast in molds to the are suitable for larger span.
exact shape and size of voussoirs. These are constructed form
cast-in-situ concrete.