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Vaults are simply arches that are given depth.  If arches were two-dimensional, vaults would be their three-dimensional counterparts. Aside from their convenience and the fact that they create a natural walkway, they can also withstand greater horizontal forces than most arches. Additional Note: Muquarnas vaulting, used traditionally in Islamic architecture, though called a vault it holds little to no structural value.  It is predominantly used for aesthetic value, and for its honeycomb shape.

V A U L T   T Y P E	I N F O / E X A M P L E S
b a r r e l   v a u l t	Barrel vaults are basic vaults, relatively smooth and semicircular in shape, though a gothic arch could be used to create a barrel vault.  They have been decorated over the centuries with murals, as in the Sistine Chapel, and other decorations which is made possible by their plain and smooth construction. The disadvantage of a barrel vault, however is that it exerts thrust the same way the arch does.  Meaning, the vault exerts an outward thrust and thus must be buttressed along the entire length.  This characteristic prevented the use of large windows as well as prevented easy circulation.  Today, as shown by the Kimbel Museum in Dallas, TX, different construction methods have been created to allow for thinner walls to hold up the vaults as well as adding large openings. E X A M P L E S Sistine Chapel Vatican City Photograph by asher Herbert (Flickr) Cathedral of Cortona Tuscany, Italy Photograph by wauter de tuinkabouter (Flickr) Kimbel Art Museum Dallas, TX Photograph by fran1825 (Flickr)
g r o i n   v a u l t	Groin vaults are the name given to vaults as they cross.  The different curvatures of the two intersecting vaults give a distinct X shape, which concentrates the thrusts at the four corners of intersection.  This type of vault has distinctly been used in cathedrals where the narthex and trancepts cross, emphasizing the importance of whatever is underneath that specific point, usually an altar. Disadvantages of groin vaults were that a form had to be made so that the entire vault could be laid.  The complex scaffolding needed to do this had to be strong enough to hold the weight of the vault as it set, which could take several days.  Also, the limitations to the shape was another problem with this vault type. E X A M P L E S Toledo Cathedral Toledo, Spain Photograph by Kim Wong Santa Maria Maggiore Florence, Italy Photograph by nrares (Flickr) Reims Cathedral Reims, France Photograph by Jean (Flickr)
c o r b e l l e d   v a u l t	Corbelled vaults are the predecessor to all other forms of vaults, due to their simplicity.  Formed by cantilevering each brick or stone a little at a time until the two walls meet, these were used long before even the arch. E X A M P L E S Red Pyramid Dahshur necropolis Photograph by George&DeDeS (Flickr) Cahal Pech Belize Photograph by Clark Anderson/Aquaimages Ugarit Palace near Latakia, Syria Photograph by Disdero
r i b b e d   v a u l t	Ribbed vaults are similar to barrel vaults, with the exception of the vertical "ribs" which run along its entirety, and the diagonal ties which connect them all. This type of vault has been used in countless cathedrals due to its increased strength and aesthetic possibilities. The ribbed vault was created to solve the problems left by the groin vault.  First of all, the ribs created by the intersection of the vaults allowed for simple, thin panels to be laid to fill in the gaps.  This lead to lighter vaults.  Also, flying buttresses were created so that walls could be thinner and the buttresses could support the walls at the points where the stress is the greatest. E X A M P L E S Basilica St. Denis Paris, France Photograph by Miss Laura M (Flickr) Noyon Cathedral Noyon, France Photograph by AEngineer (Flickr) Seville Cathedral Sevilla, Spain Photograph by Kim Wong

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