Vaults

Example of a vault

Description

Vaults are generated by the projection of the arch section on a plan, which is most of the time horizontal. A vault is an arch-shaped structure, usually of masonry, used as the ceiling of a room or other enclosed space, as the roof of a building, or as the support for a ceiling or roof. Masonry vaults are often composed of voussoirs, which are held in place, like the stones of an arch, by the pressure of the neighboring pieces. A temporary supporting structure must be erected within the vaulted area during construction, because a masonry vault does not become self-supporting until the central voussoirs or keystones are put in place. A number of different types of vaults are used architecturally. The simplest of these is the barrel, or tunnel vault, the roof of which is shaped like half a cylinder and is supported by straight walls. A groined vault is formed by the intersection of two vaults of the barrel type, usually at right angles to each other. The junctures at which the two vaults meet are elliptical ridges, called groins. A dome can be thought of as an arch which has been rotated around its vertical axis. As such, domes have a great deal of structural strength. A small dome can be constructed of ordinary masonry, held together by friction and compressive forces.

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