Catenary arch

A mudbrick catenary arch
A catenary curve (left) and a catenary arch, also a catenary curve (right). One points up, and one points down, but the curves are the same.

A catenary arch is a type of architectural arch that follows an inverted catenary curve. The catenary curve has been employed in buildings since ancient times. It forms an underlying principle to the overall system of vaults and buttresses in stone vaulted Gothic cathedrals and in Renaissance domes.[1] It is not a parabolic arch.

  1. ^ Handy, Richard L. (May 2011). "Letter to the Editors: The Perfect Dome". American Scientist. Archived from the original on 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2016-04-17.