ARCHES

Introduction

� Openings are to be bridged over at a certain height so as to further

continue the construction of the wall over the opening. Masonry work
in the form of a curved or straight monolithic structural member is
provided, to achieve the bridging purpose.
� An arch is a structure constructed of wedge- shaped units, jointed
together with mortar & spanning an opening to support the wall above
it with other super-imposed loads.

� Due to wedge-like form, the units support each other, the load tends to
make them compact & enables them to transmit the pressure
downwards to their supports.

� The curved masonry work over the opening is called Arch and the
straight horizontal member is called Lintel.
Impost
Technical terms in arch:
� An impost is the topmost part of an architectural column. Also
called an abacus, it is usually a flat piece of stone.
� It can be carved or decorated.

Pier

� A pier is a solid block of masonry supporting an arch. They

are often made of stone, but those serving as primary support
for large arches are usually made of concrete.

Foundation

� The foundation is a large stone that is set into the ground. The
piers are then built on top of it. It transfers the weight of the
arch to the soil in the ground.
Keystone:
A keystone is the wedge-shaped stone piece at the apex of a
masonry vault or arch, which is the final piece placed during
construction and locks all the stones into position, allowing the
arch to bear weight.
Voussoirs:
• A wedge-shaped stone or brick that is used with others to construct an arch or
vault.
• Each voussoir must be precisely cut so that it presses firmly against the
surface of neighboring blocks and conducts loads uniformly. The central
voussoir is called the keystone.

Springer:

• The bottom stone of an arch resting on the impost.

• The point or place where the curve of an arch or vault begins.
• The Springer's usually have one or both joints horizontal. The upper surface
of the Springer, against which the first voussoir of the real arch starts, is said
to be skew backed.
Intrados Or Soffit:
It is the under surface of an arch. Or inner curve of the arch.
Extrados
The external curve of the arch is called Extrados.
Crown
The highest part of the extrados is called Crown.

Springing line
A horizontal construction line denoting the starting of the curve,
or the bottom of a flat arch.

Haunch
The lower half of the arch between crown and and skew-back is
called Haunch.

Rise
The vertical distance between the springing line and highest point
of intrados is called Rise.
Types of Arches
The arches are named by the geometrical shape of intrados. Some of the main types
of arches are as under.

� Flat, Straight, Square or Camber Arch

� One Centered Arch
� Three centered or Elliptical Arch
� Four Centered Arch
� Ogee Arch
� Reliving Arch over a Flat Arch
Classification According to number of centers
Flat, Straight, Square or Camber Arch

Such arches have their extrados horizontal but there is slight camber in intrados . The rise in center is
generally 10 MM per meter span, the bed joints are obtained by joining them to the Centre.
 One Centered Arch

Flat Arch Semi- circular Arch

An arch having only one center from which joints of Having arch ring alternate bricks laid on end.
voussoirs radiate is called a one centered Arch. The
following are one centered arches:
 One Centered Arch

Horse Shoe Arch

Horse Shoe Arch is in the shape of horse shoe which curves more than semi-circle. This is generally considered for architectural provisions.
One Centered Arch

Stilted Arch
Stilted Arch consists of a semi-circular arch with two vertical portions at the springing’s. The Centre of arch lies on the
horizontal line through the tops of vertical portions.
 One Centered Arch

Circular or Bull’s Eye Arch

Bullseye -An arch whose intrados is a full circle. Also known as a Circular arch
 One Centered Arch

Segmental Arch
The curves of these arches are made from three points as centers. Such type of arches are used for large
spans having less rise.
 Two Centered Arch

Lancet or Acute Arch

Two Centered Arch

Drop or Obtuse Arch

Three Centered Arch or Elliptical Arch

Three centered Drop arch:

The curves of these arches are made from three points as centers. Such type of arches are used for large spans having less
rise.
Three Centered Arch or Elliptical Arch
 Four Centered Arch

Tudor Arch- A four centered arch having an inner pair of curves with a radius much greater than, that of the outer
pair.
 Ogee Arch

A pointed arch, each haunch of which is a double curve with the concave side uppermost. Such types of
arches are used for making Domes, temple, mosque and gurudwara etc.
 Relieving Arch over a Flat Arch

An Arch used to receive the flat arch from the on coming loads of wall above it is called Relieving arch over
a flat arch. Such arches also add the appearance of brick work.
 History of Arch 
• Arch structure was known by civilizations in Ancient Near East, the Levant, and Mexico but they did not make use of it.

• The Etruscans were the first civilization to use an arch.

• Etruscans invented imposts.

• After the Romans conquered the Etruscans, they assimilated the arch to fit into their architectural scheme.

• The Romans were the first builders in Europe, perhaps the first in the world, fully to appreciate the advantages of the
arch, the vault and the dome.

• The segmental arch was first built by the Romans who realized that an arch in a bridge did not have to be a semicircle.

• The semicircular arch was followed in Europe by the pointed Gothic arch.

• The first known built horseshoe arches are known from Aksum(modern day Ethiopia and Eritrea) from around the 3rd–
4th century.
Uses of the Arch

The arch is considered one of the most important invention in architecture due to its strength, simplicity
and economy. The use of arches can be seen in churches, aqueducts, bridges, colleges, some homes and
monumental structures (triumphal arches).
Lintel
� A lintel is a horizontal member placed across the openings like doors, windows etc. in buildings to support the load
from the structure above. 
� lintels are easy to construct as compared to arches.

Types of Lintel used in Building Construction

� Lintels are classified based on the material of construction as:

1. Timber Lintels
2. Stone Lintels
3. Brick Lintels
4. Reinforced Brick Lintel
5. Steel Lintel
6. Reinforced Concrete Lintel
Timber Lintel
� In olden days of construction, Timber lintels were mostly used. But now a days they are replaced by several modern
techniques, however in hilly areas these are using. The main disadvantages with timber are more cost and less durable and
vulnerable to fire.
 Timber Lintel
If the length of opening is more, then it is provided by joining multiple number of wooden pieces with the help of steel
bolts which was shown in fig (a). In case of wider walls, it is composed of two wooden pieces kept at a distance with the
help of packing pieces made of wood. Sometimes, these are strengthened by the provision of mild steel plates at their top
and bottom, called as flitched lintels.
2. Stone Lintel
These are the most common type, especially where stone is abundantly available. The thickness of these are most important
factor of its design. These are also provided over the openings in brick walls. Stone lintel is provided in the form of either one
single piece or more than one piece.

In the structure is subjected to vibratory loads, cracks are formed in the stone lintel because of its weak tensile nature. Hence
caution is needed.
3. Brick Lintel
• These are used when the opening is less than 1m and lesser loads are acting.

• Bricks with frogs are more suitable than normal bricks because frogs when filled with mortar gives more shear
resistance of end joints which is known as joggled brick lintel.
4. Reinforced Brick Lintel
These are used when loads are heavy and span is greater than 1m.

The depth of reinforced brick lintel should be equal to 10 cm or 15 cm or multiple of 10 cm. the bricks are so arranged that 2
to 3 cm wide space is left length wise between adjacent bricks for the insertion of mild steel bars as reinforcement. 1:3
cement mortar is used to fill up the gaps.
5. Steel Lintel
These are used when the superimposed loads are heavy and openings are large.  These consist of channel sections or rolled
steel joists. We can use one single section or in combinations depending up on the requirement.

When used singly, the steel joist is either embedded in concrete or cladded with stone facing to keep the width same as width
of wall.
6. Reinforced Cement Concrete Lintel

At present, the lintel made of reinforced concrete are widely used to span the openings for doors, windows, etc. in a structure
because of their strength, rigidity, fire resistance, economy and ease in construction.
These are suitable for all the loads and for any span. The width is equal to width of wall and depth depends on length of span
and magnitude of loading.

R.C.C lintel over a window with projection is displayed