skew arch
Definition
Noun: An arch constructed so that its abutments (the supporting sides or jambs) are not perpendicular to its face. This means the arch's opening is not square to the line of the roadway or structure it supports; it is built at an oblique angle.
Usage
A skew arch is a specific architectural element used when a structure, like a bridge or a vault, must cross an obstacle at a non-right angle. - The old railway viaduct features a beautiful skew arch where the track crosses the road diagonally. - Constructing a skew arch requires precise stonecutting to ensure the voussoirs (arch stones) fit correctly along the oblique angle.
Advanced Usage
- Engineering Context: In civil engineering, a skew arch is a solution for spanning obstacles at acute or obtuse angles, avoiding the need for a right-angled crossing. Its geometry is more complex than that of a standard square arch.
Variants and Related Words
- Skew Bridge: A bridge built using the principle of a skew arch, where the deck crosses the obstacle at an angle.
- Oblique Arch: A synonym for skew arch, emphasizing the angled construction.
Synonyms
- Oblique arch
Antonyms
- Square arch
- Right-angled arch
Noun
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an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face
