Tensioned voussoirs above
Gothic builders have used ropes tied to a wooden structure in one end and hanging a rope on the other end in order to exert compression towards the built part of a stereotomic structure (Fitchen, 1981). While this technique allows for the construction of arches and vaults without compromising the space below, it also allows for a swift construction as it dismisses the need for a carpentry centering. On the other hand, as a tensioned rope or chain only informs the structure in a specific vector assuming that the exact measure is known and applied, the geometric accuracy of the contact between voussoirs becomes essential; this is observable in the ArchLock system, where very accurate voussoirs are used. Departing from this technique, methods to optimize the number of tensioned voussoirs along the various construction stages have been developed (Deuss et al., 2014).
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