About This Arch
A parabolic arch is an arch in the shape of a parabola. It closely resembles the Catenary Arch but differs in its math. A parabola is a quadratic function while a catenary is the hyperbolic cosine, cosh(x), a sum of two exponential functions. Of all arch types, the parabolic arch produces the most thrust at the base and can span the widest area. It is therefore often used for long spans in bridges. When an arch carries a uniformly distributed vertical load, the correct shape is a parabola. When an arch carries only its own weight, the best shape is a catenary.
Several buildings use parabolic arches such as Saint Louis Abbey by HOK with Pier Luigi Nervi and the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, by Oscar Neimeyer.
Photo coming soon
Materials & Process
Material: 18mm (3/4″) Birch Plywood (B/BB)
Process: Machine Cut with CNC Wood Router
Finish: Sanded / Satin Poly
Dimensions
Metric: 280mm x 280mm x 450mm
Imperial: 11.02″ x 11.02″ x 17.71″
The Arch Series
Arches were first used to construct underground tunnels, drainage systems, and to span over windows and doorways. These arches could only support small openings as ancient walls were extremely heavy. Pointed arches were different. They allowed for thinner walls to be constructed due to vertical structural loads being carried more efficiently to the ground. Lighter walls meant more windows that could be taller and wider. Indoor spaces subsequently changed from being very dark to very bright. Arches became more decorative over time as structural concerns were easier to overcome. The thirty-two arches in this collections span thousands of years on all continents. You can easily find several types of arch walking around any major city. Arches provided an essential stepping stone in creating the world we live in today.
