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Showing posts with label Keystone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keystone. Show all posts

7.02.2013

Importance of Keystone,Springers,Voussoirs-Architectural Arches StLouis Brick Building

Keystone (architecture)

Decorative Lion Head Keystone-image courtesy Wikipedia
Decorative Lion Head Keystone

Location of Keystone-Architectural Arch-Photo Courtesy Wikipedia
Location of Keystone-Architectural Arch





From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: 

keystone is the wedge-shaped stone piece 

at the apex of a masonry vault or arch, which 

is the final piece placed during construction 

and locks all the stones into position, allowing 

the arch to bear weight. 



Although a masonry arch or vault cannot be 

self-supporting until the keystone is placed, 

the keystone experiences the least stress 

of any of the voussoirs

due to its position at the apex.

Keystone, Springers, Voussoirs StLouis Brick Building
Keystone, Springers, Voussoirs StLouis Brick Building








Voussoir

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

voussoir (pronounced /vuˈswÉ‘r/) is a wedge-shaped element, 
typically a stone, used in building an arch or vault.
Although each unit in an arch or vault is a voussoir, 
two units are of distinct functional importance: 
the keystone and the springer. 

  • The keystone is the center stone or masonry unit 
            at the apex of an arch. 

  • The springer is the lowermost voussoir, 

located where the curve of the arch springs from the 
vertical support or abutment of the wall or pier.

The word is a mason's term borrowed in Middle English from 
French verbs connoting a "turn" (OED). Each wedge-shaped 
voussoir turns aside the thrust of the mass above, transferring 
it from stone to stone to the springer's bottom face ('impost'), 
which is horizontal and passes the thrust on to the supports. 

Voussoir arches distribute weight efficiently and take maximum 
advantage of the compressive strength of stone, as in an arch bridge.
In Eastern Romanesque and Arab architecture the voussoirs are 
often in alternating colors, usually red and white.

During the 18th and 19th centuries British bricklayers became 
aware that by thickening the vertical mortar joint between regularly 
shaped bricks from bottom to top they could construct an elliptical 
arch of useful strength over either a standard 'former' or over 
specially constructed timber false work, (work to be removed following 
the construction of the prime). The bricks used in such an arch 
are often referred to as 'voussoirs'.

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