The barrel vault is the most elemental and ancient of the vaulting types, documented from as far back as 4000BC ; it was used by the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Nubians, and Romans.
How was the barrel vault developed?
It is typically formed by a series of arches or vaults placed side by side or by a continuous shell. Barrel vaults are first thought to have been developed by the by the Sumerians , and were subsequently used by the Egyptians.
What is a barrel vault made of?
In the modern era, variations of the barrel vault can now be built with such materials as steel . Since steel is very strong and can be formed into virtually any shape, it is no longer necessary to use interlocking stones to create barrel vaults.
Who created the groin vault?
Groin(ed) vault / Cross vault
Developed by the Romans . These vaults were easier to build than barrel vaults because small areas could be vaulted independently of one another.
Who invented vaults?
The vaulting technique of the Etruscans was absorbed by the Romans , who started in the 1st cent. AD the development of a mature vaulting system. Casting concrete in one solid mass, the Romans created vaults of perfect rigidity, devoid of external thrust, and requiring no buttresses.
What did barrel vaults replace?
Barrel vaults are known from Ancient Egypt, and were used extensively in Roman architecture. They were also used to replace the Cloaca Maxima with a system of underground sewers.
What is the difference between a barrel vault and a groin vault?
Barrel Vault vs Groin Vault: An Overview
A barrel vault is the simplest type of ceiling vault, and a groin vault is the result of two intersecting barrels . ... A groin vault is distinctly curved, but it also has some angles. They both have historical significance, and they have been used in architecture for many years.
What is the benefit of a barrel vault?
ADVANTAGES: Barrel vaults give 3x more light than a similar surface in vertical glazing . Barrel vaults ensure an optimal spread of light. Natural light is free: you regain the purchase of the Cintralux® within 5 years.
What did barrel vaults replace quizlet?
Barrel vaults are known from Ancient Egypt, and were used extensively in Roman architecture. They were also used to replace the Cloaca Maxima with a system of underground sewers.
What is a cross vault in architecture?
A groin (or cross) vault is formed by the perpendicular intersection of two barrel vaults . ... A rib (or ribbed) vault is supported by a series of arched diagonal ribs that divide the vault’s surface into panels. A fan vault is composed of concave sections with ribs spreading out like a fan.
Why was the groin vault made?
It provided the opportunity to build without massive supports and allow better illumination than the barrel vaults , thanks to the use of larger windows. During the gothic period, the groin vault was replaced by the more advanced rib vault.
Are groin vaults Romanesque?
Groin vault construction was first exploited by the Romans, but then fell into relative obscurity in Europe until the resurgence of quality stone building brought about by Carolingian and Romanesque architecture. It was superseded by the more flexible rib vaults of Gothic architecture in the later Middle Ages.
What were the three types of vaults that were used?
The 3 types of vaults that were used are barrel-vault, groined or the four-part vault and the dome .
Why did the Romans use vaults?
Vaulting enabled the Romans to build such spectacular structures as the Pantheon and the Colosseum , which are both in Rome. To reduce the weight of the building materials, recessed panels, called coffers, were used in construction. At times, coffers were purely decorative.
Did Romans invent the vault?
The Roman arch also caused the Romans themselves to make further architectural developments. They combined arches to form ceilings or roofs called vaults. The Romans also used the principles of the arch to form a hemispherical ceiling or roof called a dome.
Who first invented the barrel vault?
The barrel vault is the most elemental and ancient of the vaulting types, documented from as far back as 4000BC; it was used by the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Nubians, and Romans .
