Arches are mechanical arrangement of wedge

shaped units (blocks or bricks or stones) which

mutually support each other and in turn, the
entire arch is supported at the ends by piers or
abutments.

 These wedge shaped units like stones, bricks

etc. are so arranged together along a curved
line that they balance their own weight by the
mutual pressure and exert a vertical pressure
only at the ends which can be sustained by
supports at ends(piers, abutments).

Technical terms
Intrados : inner curve of an arch
Extrados : external curve of an arch
Voussoirs : wedge shaped units forming
the courses of an arch
Springing line: an imaginary horizontal
line joining the two springing points.

Types of arches
I.
II.
III.
IV.

According to shape
According to number of centres
According to workmanship
According to materials of construction

I. Classification according to shape

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Flat arch
Segmental arch
Semi circular arch
Semi elliptical arch
Inverted arch
Pointed arch
a) Equilateral arch
b) Isosceles or Lancet arch
Relieving arch
Horse shoe arch
Stilted arch
Venetian arch
Florentine arch

Flat arch
Usually flat shape,
skew back forms an
angle of 60 with
horizontal. A slight
rise of 15 mm/m for
intrados,
comparatively weak
and used for upto 1.5
m wide and light
loads.

Segmental arch

Centre of the arch is below springing line, load

transferred inclined to piers or supports.

Semi circular arch

The centre of arch
lies
on
the
springing line and
the shape of curve
of
arch
is
semicircle.
The
shape of skew back
is horizontal, load
transferred
in
vertical direction.

Semi elliptical arch

This arch has more
than one centre
and its shape is
that of a semi
ellipse. It may have
either 3 centres or
5 centres.

Inverted arch
The arch is provided
inverted
in
the
foundation
to
increase the soil
bearing capacity.

Pointed arch
This type of arch consists of 2 curves which
are meeting at the apex of triangle.
The triangle formed may be equilateral or
isosceles.
In equilateral the centres are on springing
point.
In isosceles the centres are on or below
springing line and in between or outside the
springing points.

Pointed arch

EQUILATERAL ARCH

ISOSCELES ARCH

Relieving arch

This arch is constructed above flat arch or wooden

joint. It relieves the load of flat arch or joint. It is
easier to change or repair wooden joint.

Horse shoe arch

Shape of horse shoe more than a semi circle.

Stilted arch
This type of arch has
a semicircular shape
attached at the tops
of
two
vertical
portion.
The springing line of
arch passes through
the tops of vertical
portion.

Venetian arch (4 centres)

In this type of arch
the depth at crown is
more than that at the
springing
line
as
shown in fig.
All the 4 centres lie on
the springing line.

Florentine arch
Similar to Venetian
arch, but Intrados
has common centre.
Total 3 centres at
springing line.

Classification on number of centres

One centred arch: Flat, segmental, semicircle
or horse shoe
2 centred arch : Has 2 centres.
Eg: Pointed arch
3 centred arch : has 3 centres
4 centred arch : has 4 centres
5 centred arch : has 5 centres

Classification based on workmanship

Rough arch: bricks are not cut to wedge shape,
mortar joint in extrados are thick as
rectangular. Used where appearanceleast
important or plastered.
Axed arch: Bricks cut to wedge shape.
Bricks are rough axed or fine axed. Joints 3 to 6
mm.
Gauged arch: bricks finely cut by means of wire
saw. Joints 0.75 to 1.5mm.

Classification according to material of

construction
Stone arch: rubble or ashlar masonry
generally as segmental type, bedding plane
normal to pressure. Rubble masonry is
weaker and limited to span of 1m.
Brick arch: use of first class bricks
Concrete arch: precast cement concrete
blocks laying like stones