ARCH

• An arch is a vertical curved  symmetrical

structure that Spans an elevated space and
may or may not support the weight above
it, like a Bridge, roof or wall above it.
• Arches may be synonymous with vaults, but a
vault may be distinguished as a continuous
arch forming a roof.
• Arches share many key concepts with chains. For one,
the weight of the arch does not contribute to its shape,
but the distance between its ends does. Every shape
formed within an arch of a certain length (measured by
its circumference) is known as a catenary.
• While arches do end up being durable and long-lasting
structures, when they are not shaped appropriately for
the loads they are meant to carry, they can collapse.
Given the similarities between arches and chains, the
angles needed to carry loads in the chain (a tension
system) can be mirrored in the angles needed for an
arch to carry the same loads.
 Arch Action
• As the forces in the arch are
carried to the ground, the
arch will push outward at
the base, called thrust.
• As the rise, or height of the
arch decreases, the
outward thrust increases.
• In order to maintain arch
action and prevent the arch
from collapsing, the thrust
needs to be restrained,
either with internal ties or
external bracing, such
as abutments.
 Types of Arches
Arches have many forms, but all fall into three basic
categories: circular, pointed, and parabolic.
• Arches with a circular form, also referred to as rounded
arches, were commonly employed by the builders of
ancient, heavy masonry arches.
• Pointed arches were most often used by builders of
Gothic-style architecture.
• The parabolic arch employs the principle that when weight
is uniformly applied to an arch, the internal compression
resulting from that weight will follow a parabolic profile.
 Construction
• An arch is held in place by the weight of all of its members,
making construction problematic.
• One answer is to build a frame which exactly follows the
form of the underside of the arch. This is known as a centre
or centering. 
• Voussoirs are laid on it until the arch is complete and self-
supporting.
• For an arch higher than head height, scaffolding would be
required, so it could be combined with the arch support.
• Arches may fall when the frame is removed if design or
construction has been faulty. 
Roosevelt arch
• The cornerstone of this arch was laid by
Theodore Roosevelt, The 26th president of
United States in 1903. Later the arch took
name of President.
• The construction of Roosevelt arch started in
February, 1903 and completed in August of
the same year.
• The arch was designed by renowned architect
Robert Reamer.
• Roosevelt arch have height of 50 feet and it is
30 feet wide. 
Arc de Triomf, Barcelona, Spain
• This popular arch in Barcelona city of Spain built as
an entrance to world exposition in the year 1888.
• Arc de Triumf wad designed by Catalan architect
Josep Vilaseca. He used Moorish revival
architectural style for this arch.
• Red bricks are mainly used for it’s constructions
and the beautiful stone carvings of  arch also
makes striking appearance.
• Above of those carvings the arch contains stone
sculpture of ‘Barcelona rep les nacions’, Catalan for
‘Barcelona welcomes the Nations’.
Victory Gate, Munich, Germany
• Victory gate or siegestor is a triumphal arch
located in the city of Munich, Germany. It was
originally built to commemorate the bravery of
Bavarian army. But today victory gate serves as a
symbol of peace.
• Victory gate was built between 1843 and 1852 by
King Ludwing I of Bavaria.
• This arch has triumphal arch style, one large arch
in the center and small arch on each side.
• There is also a chariot on the top of the arch which
is drawn by four lions. It symbolize the victory of
the army.
Patuxai, Vientiane, Laos
• Patuxai is also known as gate of triumph or victory gate located in
Vientiane of Laos.
• This victory monument was dedicated to those who lost their lives
in fight to gain independence from France.
• The construction of Patuxai was started in 1957 and completed in
1958, was designed by Laotian architect Tham Sayasthsena.
• Patuxai have gateway on it’s four sides. The four corners of
gateways are designed with statues of naga king, mythical symbol
of the country.
• The stupa towers and lotus leaves in exterior makes Patuxai more
attractive.
• There is also a museum housed in the second floor of the
monument, displays pictures of heroes who fought for the country.
• The monument also provided a viewing gallery at top floor, bring
excellent view of the city.
Arch of Triumph, Pyongyang,
North Korea
• It is the tallest triumphal arch in the world, 60
meter tall and 50 meter wide.
• This monument was built in 1982 to honour Korean
independence movement from 1925 to 1945, to
gain independence from Japan.
• The dates ‘1925’ and ‘1945’ inscribed on either
sides of the arch also dedicated to president Kim II-
Sung for his role in Korean independence.
• The words ‘Song of General King II-Sung’ also
inscribed on the middle of the arch.
• The monument also have observation platforms
and dozens of rooms.
Arch of Cinquantenaire, Belgium
• This enormous arch was originally planned to
commemorate 50 years of Belgian independence, in the
year 1880.
• But the construction of the arch didn’t completed in time.
• It took another 25 years for the completion of this arch
and opened in 1905.
• It was originally designed by a temporary wooden
structure. Then the disagreement between King Leopold
and Government in subject of arising fund for permanent
stone arch.
• It made a long delay in construction of the arch.
• There is a quadriga sculpture at top of arch that represent
‘Brabant raising the national flag’.
Rua Augusta Arch, Lisbon, Portugal
• Rua Augusta Arch is one of the main tourist
attractions in Lisbon city.
• It was built to commemorate the reconstruction
of city after major 1755’s Earthquake.
• Actually the construction of this stone arch
started in 1755. But completed only in 1875,
after a century long delay.
• This arch has six columns, each one is designed
with statues of historical figures.
• From the top of the arch visitors will get great
panoramic view of the city.
India Gate, New Delhi, India
• India gate is one of the most remarkable landmarks in
New Delhi.
• It was originally called as All India War Memorial,
dedicated to brave Indian soldiers who lost their lives
fighting for British in World War I.
• The eternal flame under India Gate burns day and night to
remind all great martyrs of 1971 Indo-Pak war, who risked
all for India’s pride.
• The construction of India Gate started in 1921 and took
10 years for it’s completion, opened on 12th February,
1931. Today it became one of major tourist attraction of
New Delhi, illuminated every evening.
• The republic day parade also passes through the India
Gate, held on 26th January every year.
Arc De Triumphe, Paris, France
• Arc De Triumphe located in Paris, France, one of popular landmarks of the
city.
• It was built to honours the soldiers who died in French revolutionary and
Napoleonic wars.
• The inner and outer walls of the monument inscribed with names of all
French victories and heroes who fought in wars for the countries.
• The vault under this monument also contain tomb of an unknown soldier
who died in World War I.
• The construction of this monument ordered by French emperor Napoleon
Bonaparte in 1806, to honor grande armee.
• After the Austerlitz victory in the year 1805 Napoleon said to soldiers of
grande armee “You will return home through Arc of Triumph”.
• The first stone of the project was laid on 15th August 1806. But the
construction had been stopped several times after the abdication of
Napoleon and finally completed in 1836.
• The monument have height of 50 meter, features observation deck at the
top for the visitors.
Gateway Arch, St.Louis, United States
• Gateway arch is the tallest arch monument in U.S. It was built to
commemorate the Westward expansion of United Sates.
• The construction of gateway arch started in 1963 and completed
in 1965.
• This arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero
Saarinen.
• Today this monument attractions around 4 million visitors every
year.
• Gateway arch was assembled of 142 different sections of 12 foot
long pre-fabricated steel.
• This arch contains 23570 tons of concrete and 1957 tons of steel.
• This hollow arch monument contains a unique tram system that
takes visitors to top of the arch. The observation deck of gateway
arch can hold 160 visitors at a time, offers view up to 30 miles in
all direction.