camber arch
Definition
- Noun:
- An arch with a straight horizontal extrados and a slightly arched intrados: A "camber arch" is a specific architectural structure where the outer curve (extrados) is a flat, straight line, while the inner curve (intrados) is slightly curved or arched.
Usage
- The term "camber arch" is a technical architectural term. It is used to describe a specific, often subtle, design feature in buildings, bridges, or other structures.
- It is primarily used in formal, academic, or professional contexts related to architecture, engineering, and construction history.
Examples
- Noun:
- The bridge's design featured a simple yet effective camber arch.
- In Georgian architecture, a camber arch is often found above window openings.
Advanced Usage
- Structural Analysis: In engineering, the camber arch is analyzed for its load-bearing properties, as its flat outer profile and curved inner profile distribute weight differently than a fully semicircular arch.
- Historical Context: The camber arch is frequently discussed in analyses of 18th and 19th-century building techniques, where it was a common, economical alternative to a full semicircular arch for spanning small openings.
Variants and Related Words
- Arch (n): a curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically supporting the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.
- Extrados (n): the outer curve of an arch.
- Intrados (n): the inner curve of an arch.
- Camber (n/v): As a noun, a slight upward curve or convexity (e.g., of a road surface or a beam). As a verb, to construct with such a curve.
Synonyms
- Flat arch: This is a close synonym, though "flat arch" can sometimes refer to arches with very minimal curvature on both sides, while "camber arch" specifies the straight extrados.
- Jack arch: Another related term for a flat or slightly curved arch, often used in floor and fireproof construction.
Related Phrases/Idioms
Noun
-
an arch with a straight horizontal extrados and a slightly arched intrados
