Vault (Element)
Introduction
A vault is the extension of an arch "Arch (architecture)") that allows spaces to be covered.
There are various types of vaults, both due to the geometric shape of the intrados and the way in which it is constructed.
Types of vaults by geometric shape
Contenido
Atendiendo a la forma geométrica básica de su intradós se distinguen:.
Barrel vault
Vault with a semi-cylindrical surface, geometrically originated by a semicircular generatrix and a straight directrix. It was used to cover longitudinal spaces, such as the naves of churches or their transepts. It was widely used in Roman architecture and then in pre-Romanesque and Romanesque architecture. It is also known as tunnel vault.
When the semicircular arches evolved stylistically towards pointed arches, the barrel vaults also followed the same trend, which is why there are also pointed (pointed barrel vault) and pointed arches.
The barrel vault whose guideline is not straight but circular is called annular vault, used to cover ambulatories or ambulatories.
Groin vault
It is formed by the intersection of two equal barrel vaults that intersect perpendicularly. It is formed on the basis of two semicircular arches with the same arrow. Lines of intersection or edges are ellipse arcs that intersect at the top vertex.
The lower parts are eliminated from the geometric shape resulting from this intersection, leaving it formed by four cylindrical surfaces limited by protruding edges.
Assuming the equality of the secant vaults, the space covered by a groin vault is a square. In the event that the two vaults are of different widths, the covered space is rectangular, as can happen with pointed vaults which, having the same height, can have different spans (width). When arches are arranged on the edges that support the vault, the so-called results.