Arcature belt in architecture

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

Arcature belt is an element used in the construction of various structures. It is created both inside and outside the building. About what an arcade belt is, about its features and structure will be described in this essay.

What is arcature?

Before starting to consider what an arcature belt is, it is necessary to describe the meaning of the terms accompanying this concept.

One of these terms is "arcature". Translated from Italian, it means "arc", "bend". In German, an arcature is a "row of arches". It is also called arcuate belt, arcuate frieze. In fact, these are all its varieties.

Arcature is a continuous or dissected series of false decorative arches. They are located either on the facade of the building or on the walls of the interior. The main view is a blind arcade, which consists of elements plastically superimposed on the surface of the wall. Sometimes a small space is left between the wall and the archway.

There are also two types of arcature: dissected and continuous. The last of them can be made in the form of an arcuate belt,which is supplemented with columns on brackets. In particular, this version of the architectural solution is inherent in the temples of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality.

Arch features

Another term is "arch" - an architectural element that makes up the arcade and its variety, like the arcade belt. It is a curved ceiling of a blind or through opening or span in a wall, which has supports. Arches can be supported on consoles, columns and brackets. They are both real and false, that is, decorative. Typically, arches are symmetrical about the vertical axis. This arcade element will be discussed in more detail below.

If we compare an arch with a beam, then the latter experiences the usual (normal) mechanical stress, while the arch is tangential. Due to shear stress, the expansion occurs (horizontal support reaction).

The arch differs from the vault in that it has a much smaller width. Due to the vertical load, the arch works more in compression than in bending, which is the reason for its good technical characteristics.

Arches are divided into three types:

• hinged;
• double-hinged;
• three-hinged.

In the event that the supporting arched ends are connected to each other by a jumper, (a rod that perceives a horizontal reaction), this will be an arch with a puff.

Names of arch elements

The arch consists of a number of elements, the names of which are given below:

• wedgestone;
• capstone (crowning the top in the center);
• extrados (outer surface of the arch);
• intrados (inner surface);
• impost (heel, heel - a stone located at the base of the supports);
• retaining wall;
• span;
• lifting arrow (distance to the center of the locking element from the line that connects both centers of heel stones - impost).

The distance between the axes of the impost is called the calculated armhole. If the lifting boom increases, accordingly, the thrust of the arch itself decreases. The axis of the entire structure is selected in such a way that the bending pressure is minimal. Structural calculation is extremely important, as this accuracy can affect the strength of the entire room as a whole.

In ancient times

For the first time, the arched belt in architecture, used in the construction of buildings, facades and interiors, appeared around the 2nd millennium BC. e. in Ancient Mesopotamia, as well as in the rest of the Ancient East. In this region, the construction of various buildings using brick blocks has reached the highest level, and with it the complexity of the structures themselves has increased. During the heyday of ancient Rome, arches were used quite often. For example, the world-famous Colosseum was created using many arches, the connection of which forms an arcature.

Arcature belt in world architecture

In eastern countries, the arcade is used in the construction of open galleries, which are located along the facades of houses. Mainthe load in the case of such a technical solution is distributed between each individual arch support.

The use of an arcature belt increases the strength characteristics of the entire structure as a whole, while reducing the weight of the structure itself. The previously mentioned Colosseum was built using numerous arches, they were also actively used by the Romans in the construction of aqueducts, which have survived to this day.

In the Middle Ages, during the construction of English Gothic cathedrals and monasteries, the arched belt was actively used. The place where it is located immediately attracts the eye with its beauty.

Usually in Catholic churches, an arched passage leads from the nave or transept to the interior. Often the arcade adjoined the monastery on the eastern side, blocking the passages in the temples, which had a cruciform shape. In Gloucestershire Cathedral, built in 1029, the arcade is located on the opposite side, which was somewhat inconsistent with the canons of construction, but still happened.

Arcature-columnar belt

Such belts are called decorative motifs from a series of small arches that rest on small columns. As mentioned above, the columnar belt is one of the varieties of arcature. It was widely used in the architecture of Ancient Russia. With its help, the walls of buildings and church drums (the pre-dome part of the church) were decorated. Often, elongated, narrow windows of light cut through between the columns.

Columned belts had differentexecution options. So, for example, one of the methods was the installation of small columns not under each heel of neighboring arches, but at various intervals - in one or two arches. A similar arrangement can be seen in the Kremlin, on the drums of the Cathedral of the Annunciation.

The arched belt of the temple eventually began to be used in ordinary architecture. Since the 17th century, this decorative element has become indispensable not only in Russian temple architecture, but also in the construction of secular buildings. It is worth noting that where the arcade belt was located in Russian temple architecture, quite often the openings and crowns of the arches were decorated with mosaics on Biblical themes.

Appeared in ancient times, this architectural element has become not only necessary and often used, but also acquired aesthetic features, ennobling and decorating any building.