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Evolution of Gothic Vault:

Evolution of Gothic Vault:
The evolution of stone vaulting from Roman to Gothic is an interesting subject.
1.Roman system of stone vaulting, comprising wagon and intersecting vault was continued to Romanesque period.
2.But problem was placing a vault over an oblong nave of church because of differences in height between semicircular arches over spans of varying width. 
 

Gothic Vaulting:
§It consists of a framework of stone ribs, which support thin stone panels, known as ‘rib and panel’ vault.
§The ribs were made for the permanent support and on them the thin stone panels were laid.
§The difficulties of vaulting over an oblong plan was overcome by the use of pointed arch over shorter spans.
§The vault pressures are downward by the weight of the stone, through the law of gravitation, and outwards by the pressure of the arch voussoirs.
§Both pressure were collected by the meeting of the ribs at the angles of vaulting and then transmitted to ground by buttresses and flying buttresses.

 
 

Advantages of Gothic Vault & Buttressing System:
•As the result of the development of Gothic Buttress system, walls became less necessary as supports.
•Another important matter was invention of painted glass, which were used to cover the windows under vaults.
•The stone work of traceries windows were merely a framework for pictures of Bible stories.
  

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