21 Types Of Arches In Construction

The arch consists of a curved structural shape that transmits loads over the opening, transmitting them over the shape of the arch to jambs, abutments, or piers on either side.

Arches are compressive structures, which is why there are no tensile stresses. Arches are self-supporting, balanced by the force of gravity conducting on their weight to carry them in compression. This establishes them as largely stable and productive, capable of larger spans and supporting considerable loads than horizontal beams.

The are different types of arches used in construction and an architects choose specific arch types based on both functional and aesthetic considerations, ensuring a harmonious blend of form and function in construction.

Types Of Arches

Here are some commonly used types of arches in construction. The following arches are popular in building projects. In construction, these arch types are widely favored.

1. Pointed Shape Arch

 Pointed Shape Arch
Pointed Shape Arch

The pointed-shaped arches are similarly identified as the Gothic arch. The pointed shape arch carries two arcs of the circle which fulfills at the apex and sets a triangle. Triangle elements may be equilateral or isosceles (similarly recognized as Lancet Arch).

2. Horseshoe Shape Arch

 Horseshoe Shape Arch
Horseshoe Shape Arch

The title of this arch is offered horseshoe arch because its shape is like a horseshoe that curves better than the semicircle. The horseshoe arches are normally utilized for architectural provisions.

3. Flat Arch

 Flat Arch
Flat Arch

The Flat arch creates an equilateral triangle within Intrados as a base at an angle of 60° degrees. The Flat arch is normally utilized for the construction of light-load structures.

The Extrados in the Flat arches is straight and Flat. The intrados is similarly Flat and provided a slight increase of camber of about 10 mm to 15 mm. A flat arch is generally the weakest arch.

4. Segmental Arch

 Segmental Arch
Segmental Arch

The segmented arch is a type of arch in which a circular arc is less than 180° degrees. This type of arch is recognized as a Syrian arch. The segmental arch is one of the toughest arches which has a decent capacity to withstand thrust.

The Romans were the first who invented the segmental arch. This type of purchase was normally utilized in the construction of residential windows and doors within the 20th century.

The Segmental arch is the traditional type of arch utilized for buildings in which the center of the arch lies under the springing line. In the segmental arch, the thrust is carried in an inclined direction to the abutment.

5. Semi-Circular Arch

Semi-Circular Arch
Semi-Circular Arch

The semi-circular arch in the center will lie on the spring line. In the semi-circular arch, the thrust transmitted to the abutment is completely in a vertical direction. The shape of the arch looks like a semi-circle.

6. Venetian Arch

 Venetian Arch
Venetian Arch

A Venetian arch is a three-centered arch. It has a deeper depth at the crown than the springing line. The Venetian arch is another form of the pointed arch.

It includes four centers, all placed on the springing line.

7. Semi-Elliptical Arch

 Semi-Elliptical Arch
Semi-Elliptical Arch

The semi-elliptical arch has a form of a semi-ellipse that has either 3 or 5 centers. The semi-elliptical arch is similarly recognized as the basket-handle arch.

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8. Stilted Arch

 Stilted Arch
Stilted Arch

The stilted arch is the type of arch in which the curve starts above the impost line. This arch contains a semicircular arch with two vertical parts at springings. The center of the stilted arches on a straight line.

9. Relieving Arch

 Relieving Arch
Relieving Arch

This type of arch is created above the Flat arch or on a wooden lintel. The major purpose of the Relieving arch is to give greater strength. The ends of this arch should be taken adequately into the abutments.

In the case of relieving the arch, we can restore the decayed wooden lintel easily without affecting the arch and the stability of the structure.

10. Ashlar Arches

 Ashlar Arches
Ashlar Arches

For the formation of the arches, the stones are cut into an adequate shape and dressed suitably. The joints are filled appropriately with the use of cement mortar so that adequate bonding should be obtained. The Ashlar stones are similarly utilized in the construction of the Flat arches.

11. Rubble Arches

Types Of Arches
Rubble Arches

The Rubble arches are utilized for the formation of arches up to a span of 1 meter. These types of spans are formulated of rubber stones that are hammered and dressed appropriately. The rubble arches are unstable and normally utilized for inferior work only. The mortar is utilized for binding stones.

Occasionally these are also utilized as relieving arches up to a depth of 37.5 cm, but these are established in one ring. If the depth is greater, we can go for two rings in an alternate procedure of headers and stretchers.

12. Rough Brick Arch

 Rough Brick Arch
Rough Brick Arch

The Rock brick arches are generally wedged in form. This type of arches is established where high accuracy for completion is not needed. These are constructed with conventional bricks without cutting to the shape of voussoirs.

The arch curve is given by creating wedge-shaped joints with incredible thickness at extrados and less thickness at intrados. So, it looks unattractive. For this reason, it is not approved for exposed brickworks.

13. Fine Axed Brick Arch

 Fine Axed Brick Arch
Fine Axed Brick Arch

The Fine Axed arches are composed by establishing bricks into the desired shape. In the case of the formation of Fine axed brick arches, the bricks are cut into wedge-shaped appropriately any three are normally utilized where the Fine work is needed.

These are roughly shaped and sized. Thus, the complete surface of this type of arch provides an extremely aesthetical appearance.

13. Gauged Brick Arches

Gauged Brick Arches
Gauged Brick Arches

This type of arches is relatively expensive in formation and the bricks which are utilized in this type of arches should have fine dressing. The formation of the gauged brick arches needed experienced workmanship for its construction.

In the gauge brick type of arch, bricks are cut to the perfect shape and size of the necessary voussoir with the help of a wire saw. The bricks are completely dressed and these bricks are joined by lime putty. Nevertheless, for gauged brick arches simply soft bricks are utilized. The joints are fine, thin, and simply radial.

14. Purpose Made Brick Arches

 Purpose Made Brick Arches
Purpose Made Brick Arches

The unique bricks are generated, similar to the accurate shape and size of voussoirs, to give extremely fine workmanship. Lime putty is utilized as a binding material.

15. Monolithic Concrete Block Arches

  Monolithic Concrete Arches
Monolithic Concrete Arches

The Monolithic concrete arches were initially utilized for longer spans. Monolithic concrete block arches are generally formed from cast-in-situ concrete, either plain or reinforced. The thickness is around 15 cm for the arches up to 3 m spans.

It is essential that the curing of the monolithic concrete block should be done for 14 to 28 days.

16. Precast Concrete Block Arches

  Precast Concrete Block Arches
Precast Concrete Block Arches

These types of arches are established with the help of precast concrete blocks. The precast concrete blocks are available in the accurate shape and sizes which are needed for the construction of the arches.

In the case of the requirements of the keystone, a particular type of mold is prepared for the formation of the precast concrete block arches.

In the formation of the precast concrete blocks, the 1:2:4 ratio is utilized. Because of the perfect shape and size of the precast concrete blocks, it will provide a very decent view.

Read More: What Is a Porch | 15 Types of Porch used for Home

17. Centered Arches

 One Centered Arch
One Centered Arch

The one-centered type of arches has simply one special center. These types of arches that arrive under the classification of types of arches are semicircular arches, Flat arches, horseshoe arches, segmental arches, etc.

In some cases, the completely circular arch is furnished for circular windows which are called bull’s eye arches similarly come under these categories.

18. Two Centered Arches

 Two Centered Arches
Two Centered Arches

The two-centered type of arches has simply two centers. The pointed arches or gothic arches or lancet arches come under the category of two-centered arches. Semi-elliptical arches similarly come under this classification.

19. Equilateral Arc

 Equilateral Arch
Equilateral Arch

An Equilateral Arch possesses a two-center. The Curves surface creates 2 Center Points. The shape arrives at an equilateral Arch so-called an equilateral Arch.

20. Lancet Arch

Lancet Arch
Lancet Arch

Lancet Arch appears in Two Center Arch. The curved surface creates 2 center points and the shape of the Lancet Arch is indicated in the figure.

21. Venetian Arch

 Venetian Arch
Venetian Arch

Venetian Arch possesses 2 centers. Its curved surface is responsible for creating two numbers of center points its shape is as shown in the figure.

22. Three Centered Arches

 Three Centered Arches
Three Centered Arches

These types of arches contain three centers. The elliptical arches as well as equilateral arches approach under the classification of three centered arches.

22. Four Centered Arches

 Four Centered Arches
Four Centered Arches

These types of arches contain four centers. The Venetian arches come under the classification of four center arches which have a sum of four centers. Tudor similarly comes under this category.

24. Five-Centered Arches

 Five Centered Arches
Five Centered Arches

The Five center arches possess a total of five centers and it enables getting a decent semi-elliptical shape.

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