Arch

An arch is an opening in a building that is curved on top to distribute the weight. The curved part can be round, like part of a circle, or pointed, like two parts of circles next to each other. Arches are often used where buildings are made of many small stones or bricks. The stone at the very top of the arch, called the keystone, keeps the rest of the arch stones from falling down. Arches can go over doorways and windows. Many bridges are arch bridges including ones made of steel. A series of arches is an arcade.

"Archway" redirects here. For the area of London, see Archway, London.

A circular arch

Pointed arch

Arches can be found in nature. These natural arches form through the erosion of cliffs.^[1]

Types of arches

Arches can have many forms, but they can be sorted into three categories: circular, pointed and parabolic.

• Circular (rounded) arches were used by Romans. They used them in bridges, aqueducts, and large-scale (big) architecture.^[2]
• Pointed arches were most often used by builders of Gothic-style architecture. They used them because they produced less thrust at the base. This allowed the structures to be taller.^[3]
• Parabolic arches have the shape of a parabola. They are mostly used in bridges.
• Ogee arches features an S-shaped curve, typically used in Islamic architecture and Gothic Revival styles.
• Horse Shoe arches often used in Moorish and Islamic architecture, is characterized by shapes that are more curved than semi-circles.

A natural arch