An arch is a structure that spans a space and supports structure and weight above it.

Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamian brick architecture and their systematic use started with the Ancient Romans who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures.

STONEHENGE

TEMPLE AT KARNAK, EGYPT

SHRINE OF SETI, KARNAK

LION GATE, MYCENAE

ENTRANCE, PYRAMID OF KHUFU

BARNACK CHURCH TOWER

THOLOS OF ATREUS, MYCENAE

TEMPLE COMPLEX, BOROBODUR

CIRCULAR POINTED PARABOLIC

ROUNDED ARCH
Arches with a circular form, also referred to as rounded arch, were commonly employed by the builders of ancient, heavy masonry arches. Ancient Roman builders relied heavily on the rounded arch to span large, open areas. Several rounded arches placed in-line, end-toend, form an arcade, such as the Roman aqueduct.

ROMAN AQUADUCT, NIMES

STILTED ARCH
Stilted arch are arches in which the springing line is some distance above the impost, the space between being occupied by a vertical member, molded or ornamented, as a continuation of the archivolt, intrados, etc.

COURT OF THE LIONS, GRANADA

HORSESHOE ARCH
The horseshoe arch, also called the Moorish arch and the Keyhole arch, is the emblematic arch of Islamic architecture. They were formerly constructed in Visigothic Spain. Horseshoe arches can take rounded, pointed or lobed form.

DOUBLE HORSESHOE ARCH, LISBON

LANCET ARCH
A lancet window is a tall, narrow window with a pointed arch at its top. It acquired the "lancet" name from its resemblance to a lance. Instances of this architectural motif are typical of Gothic ecclesiastical structures of the earliest period.

YORK MINSTER, ENGLAND

TUDOR ARCH
The Four-centered or Tudor Arch has an inner set of curves or arcs with a radius much greater than threat of the outer pair.

KINGS COLLEGE CHAPEL, CAMBRIDGE

OGEE ARCH
The Ogee Curve is created using by the union of a concave and a convex arch. The result looks a bit like an S. This is used at the top of arches as well as for the profile of mouldings. The ogee arch is Gothic in design. Other variations are: Ogee Four-centered arch and Ogee Cyma Reversa arch. Similar is the Oriental Arch.

PARABOLIC ARCH
Parabolas have the shape of the curve created when a plane intersects a cone at right angles. Of any arch type, the parabolic arch produces the most thrust at the base, but can span the largest areas. It is commonly used in bridge design, where long spans are needed.

GATEWAY ARCH, ST. LOUIS

END OF LECTURE