Front Cover of Volume 14
Volume 14
by R Greenhalgh (Ed)
Published by Pitman & Sons Ltd
16th April 1927
No ISBN number
Extract from pages 647-654
Origins
The actual origin of the arch is somewhat vague. As far as can be traced, it was first used as an ornamental feature in some of the ancient buildings of Western Asia
The great arch at the entrance to the Palace of Ctesiphon, Assyria, A.D.550, see below, has a enormous span of 83 ft
The pointed arch was, however, known to have been
used as early as 722 B.C. in the construction of drains and culverts, but was very crude in its form
Flat arches were probably the outcome of a desire to imitate the keyed lintels to the square openings constructed with stone in buildings of the Renaissance
Whether in stone or brick, they are a weak form of construction, and cannot correctly be defined as arches, but only as a method for spanning an opening
The arch proper, came into general use with the advent of the Roman Empire
It still remains one of the chief features in architectural design, even in the present era of concrete and steel
The actual origin of the arch is somewhat vague. As far as can be traced, it was first used as an ornamental feature in some of the ancient buildings of Western Asia
The great arch at the entrance to the Palace of Ctesiphon, Assyria, A.D.550, see below, has a enormous span of 83 ft
Palace of Ctesiphon. Image from Atlas Tours
The pointed arch is assumed by some to have originated with the building of the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Cairo, built in the ninth century, see belowIbn Tulun Mosque. Image from 123urdupoint.com
The pointed arches of this mosque, with a span of 15 ft, are considered among the finest examples of ancient craftsmanship in arch constructionThe pointed arch was, however, known to have been
used as early as 722 B.C. in the construction of drains and culverts, but was very crude in its form
Flat arches were probably the outcome of a desire to imitate the keyed lintels to the square openings constructed with stone in buildings of the Renaissance
Flat arch, also known as Camber arch
Image from Conserve Engineer.blogspot.com
Built in brick, they lack the dignity, strength, and stability of the massive stone lintels of that periodImage from Conserve Engineer.blogspot.com
Whether in stone or brick, they are a weak form of construction, and cannot correctly be defined as arches, but only as a method for spanning an opening
The arch proper, came into general use with the advent of the Roman Empire
It still remains one of the chief features in architectural design, even in the present era of concrete and steel
Corbels
The introduction of the arch was preceded by the use of the corbel and lintel. Projecting courses were built from the side walls and continued until they met at the apex
of a triangle, or so far reduced the span that it could be safely bridged with a single stone
As can be seen, corbelling is a primitive method
It is likely to become unstable, without the weight of the wall above and on either side, known as the spandrel
The introduction of the arch was preceded by the use of the corbel and lintel. Projecting courses were built from the side walls and continued until they met at the apex
of a triangle, or so far reduced the span that it could be safely bridged with a single stone
As can be seen, corbelling is a primitive method
It is likely to become unstable, without the weight of the wall above and on either side, known as the spandrel
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