Understanding Arches: Types, Components, and Terminology
Arc: An architectural element that allows for a gap to be covered. This arc deflects sideways force; this force is called thrust.
Lintel: An architectural element that is straight and close to the top horizontally.
False Arch: An arch made of stones laid horizontally, positioned closer to the inside as it is being built.
Thrust: The interplay of forces found in an arc, whose direction is sideways.
Keystone: Each of the pieces that form the arc.
Key: The central keystone and the area above it.
Salmer: A V-shaped keystone shared by two arches.
Soffit: The inside of the arch, when looking down.
Top Surface: The upper surface of the arch.
Jamb: The arch legs, an extension of the arc to the ground.
Imposta: The upper part of the jamb, usually prominent.
Light: The maximum width of an arc.
Arrow: The maximum height of an arc.
Thread: One of the faces of the arch.
Archivolts: A thread, but decorated.
Segmental Arch: An arch where the imaginary line passes over the center of the circle.
Arch: That which passes through the imaginary line through the center of the circle.
Horseshoe Arch: An arch where the imaginary line passes under the center of the circle.
Ogee Arch: An arch that arises from four overlapping circles in pairs. From the circles above, branches extend outward.
Ogee Arch or Apainelado: An arch that arises from the longitudinal section of an ellipse.
Catenary Arch: An arch that arises from the cross-section of an ellipse.
Tudor Arch: An arch that is arched but slightly pointed.
Stilted Arch: An arch that introduces a rectangular element between the fascia and the skew.
Arco Túmido: A slightly pointed horseshoe arch.
Arch: A path formed from two circles that intersect each other at their key.
Ogive Arch: A pointed arch diagonally under a roof, used to strengthen it.
Ogive Vault: Formed by two pointed arches that cross at their key.
Alancetado: Like the pointed arch, but sharper.
Lobed: An arch formed by juxtaposed lobes.
Nixtilíneo: An arch composed of different types of lines: curves and straight lines, seemingly at random.
Skew: An arch whose salmeres are oblique, indicating the floor.
Flared Arch: Made with thick walls and featuring more light on one side.
Angrelado: Made of thick walls and characterized by more light on one side.
Scalloped: An arch with the lower surface decorated with small, juxtaposed convex lobes.
Alfiz: Decorative moldings framing a generally horseshoe arch in a square.
Spandrels or Abainejas: Triangular motifs that arise between the drip cap and the arch, usually highly decorated.
Ataurique: Arch decoration based on plant and floral elements that are synthesized and reduced to abstract forms.
Arco Blind: An arch that has blocked its light.
Arco Interlaced or Intertwined: Juxtaposed arches that crisscross each other’s path.
Buttress: An arch whose function is to download the thrust to the buttress.
Buttress: A large pillar used to hold the thrust of the buttresses.
Pinnacle: A pineapple-shaped ornament used to finish the buttresses.
Arco Throne: Part of a tomb that is adjacent to the wall, forming a large hole.
Arc Discharge: An arch located above a weight threshold to release deflecting sideways.
Double Arch: Overlapping arches that share the same center.
Arc de Triomphe: A monument that commemorates some historical event and usually features 1 or 3 arches.
Arco Fajon: Situated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ship. They hold to the vault because they are stuck.
Wall-Arch Arch: Lying parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ship. Juxtaposed arches that separate one ship from the other.
Toral: The 4 arches that support a dome over the transept.
Nerve: An arch that begins in the soil and diagonally crosses the vault.
Aperture: An arch adopting the shape outside the ship while maintaining the shape of the arch on its lower surface.