Vaults

VAULTS
VAULTS
Vaults
A vault, in architecture, is an
arch-shaped structure, usually
of masonry, used as the ceiling
of room or other enclosed
space,
as the roof of a building, or as
the support for a ceiling or roof.
Masonry vaults are usually
composed of wedge-shaped
pieces called voussoirs, which
are held in
place, like the stones of an arch,
by the pressure of the
neighboring pieces. Because of
the combined
pressure of its components, any
arch exerts an outward pressure
at its base,
VAULTS
When an arch is subjected to a point load, it catenary thrust-line becomes

deformed.As soon as this line of thrust touches the outside of the
masonry,cracks may be formed.When the line of thrust exits the masonry
arch,failure mechanisms are formed which will cause the vault collapse.
VAULTS
TYPES OF VAULTS
1. Barrel vault (semi-circular vault)
2. Groin vaults ( cross vaults)
3. Rib vault
4. Fan vault
BARREL VAULTS
BARREL VAULT
•Formed by an extension of arch as an
unbroken series passed together one behind
another.
Characteristics
•It is known as wagon or tunnel vault.
•Circular in shape and semi cylindrical in
appearance.
•Series of arches placed side by side is known
as barrel roof.
•It is the simplest form of vault.
•It is best for roofing purpose.
•Length is greater than a diameter
VAULTS
Short span barrel vault
• Short span barrel vaults are

those in which span is shorter
than its width . It is used for
the width of the arch ribs
between which the barrel
vault span.
Long span barrel vault
• Long span barrel vaults are

those in which span is larger
then its width.
GROIN VAULT
GROIN VAULT
Definition
A Groin vault (also known as a double barrel vault)
is produced by the intersection at right angles of
two barrel vault.
Characteristics
The word “groin” refers to the edge between the

intersecting vaults.
Sometime the arches of groin vaults are pointed
instead of round.
In comparison with a barrel vault, a groin vault
provides good economies of material and labour.
The groin vault required great skills in cutting stone
to form a neat arris.
Difficult to construct neatly because of the
geometry of cross groins.
The construction of groin vault can be understood
most simply by visualizing two barrel vault section
at right angles merging to form a squarish unit.
CROSS VAULT
A cross vault or groined vault (also sometimes

known as a double barrel vault or groin vault)
is produced by the intersection at right angles
of two barrel vaults. The word "groin" refers to
the edge between the intersecting vaults.
so the vault need only be abutted at its four
corners.
RIB VAULT
RIB VAULT
Definition
The intersection of two or three barrel vaults produces
a rib vault or ribbed vault .
Characteristics
• when they are edged with an armature of

piped masonry often carved in decorative
patterns compare to groin vault an older form of
vault construction.
• While the mechanics of the weight of a groin
vault and its transmission outwards to the
supporting pillars remained as it had been the
new use of rib vaults demonstrates the skill of
the masons and the grandeu of the new ideas
circulating at the introduction of gothic
architecture in the end of the eleventh century.
•Some ribbed vaults even have six section in each
bay.
FAN VAULT
A Fan vault is a form of vault in which the ribs are all of the same curve and spaced
equidistantly, in a manner resembling a fan
FAN VAULT
FAN VAULT
VAULT
FORM WORK TECHNIQUES

VAULT

VAULT

VAULT
THE CONSTRUCTION OF MASONRY VAULT IN MAPUNGUBWE NATIONAL PARK
In Mapungubwe National Park,the vaulted structures were built using stabilized

earth tiles and the ancient tile vaulting technique, which requires no reinforcing.The
largest free-form vaults span 14.5m.It is unreinforced masonry vault which only 300mm
in thickness.This vault called Catalan Turn or Catalan Arch or a timbrel vault.Timbrel
vault is a type of low arch made of plain bricks.It is traditionally constructed by laying
bricks lengthwise over a wood form or another word centering,making it a much gentler
curve than has generally been produced by other methods of construction.
This is a design method rather than a design tool,in which the gravitational loads
dictate the structure.To build without steel reinforcing, as the structurally efficient shape
leads to leads to a compression-only solution,and therefore requires no tensile rein-
forcing.The architect and engineer are to evaluate and manipulate the forms within the
natural constraints of the material and a skill that can be learned.The resulting form is
neither geometrically nor mathematically defined, but is instead a direct structural
response to the loading.
In order to determine the thickness and degree of curvature for the vault we can find
through a line of thrust that fits within the masonry.
The static equilibrium of these surfaces is then checked with recently developed
thrust network analysis.The project incorporates ten masonry vaults,ranging in span
from 5 meters to 20 meters,and a similar number of regular barrel vaults and domes.
VAULT
This picture shows the wood is being constructed as a structure

before bricks is laid.
VAULT
Bricks are arranged using mortar

VAULT
The bricks with mortar are arranged from the edge of the vault until it reach
at the thrust of the vault
VAULT
The mortar is laid over the surface in order to withstand more

pressure and more stable
VAULT
The interior of the vault The exterior of the vault

THANK YOU

Vaults

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vaults

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

VAULTS

When an arch is subjected to a point load, it catenary thrust-line becomes

1. Barrel vault (semi-circular vault)

2. Groin vaults ( cross vaults)

Short span barrel vault

• Short span barrel vaults are

Long span barrel vault

• Long span barrel vaults are

The word “groin” refers to the edge between the

A cross vault or groined vault (also sometimes

• when they are edged with an armature of

FORM WORK TECHNIQUES

FORM WORK TECHNIQUES

FORM WORK TECHNIQUES

In Mapungubwe National Park,the vaulted structures were built using stabilized

This picture shows the wood is being constructed as a structure

Bricks are arranged using mortar

The mortar is laid over the surface in order to withstand more

The interior of the vault The exterior of the vault

You might also like