ARCO A MENSOLA – Wikipedia

Arch in shelf

Basic structure of a Arch in shelf .	Comparison between a normal arch (left) and a Arch in shelf (To the right)

L’ Arch in shelf (O false arc ) is an arch that uses the architectural technique of the overhang to fill an empty space in a structure, such as the passage in a wall or the span of a bridge.

And Arch in shelf It is built with the addition of subsequent strata of stone ammobic in the walls so that the arch gradually left towards the center, until the two portions meet in the center. For this type of arch you can use flat stones and therefore more easily available in nature, than the shaped councils that a classic arc requires.

The technique of the arch in Mensola can also be used to make times between two opposite walls.

Despite an improvement in the load capacity, the shelf arch is not a completely self -supporting structure and for this reason it is defined as a “false arch”. Unlike the “real” arch, not the whole structure of the arch works with compression. The shelves require a significant thickening of the walls and shoulder to counter the effects of gravity, which tends to compress each side of the arch inwards.

The vault with dry stones tilted outwards is used in rural architecture.
There are various examples in Italy (the famous Trulli of Puglia or the cacciare, types of shelters made by the shepherds on the Abruzzo mountains) and in the islands (from the nuraghe to the seasions in prehistory, to the cubburia and the paghiars of indefinable age).

In France or in other European countries, the construction technique has been systematically used by self-producers or bricklayers of dry stones of the two or last three centuries to cover the space for the lower cost in construction that act as small buildings attached to the farm.

L’Antica Ugarit [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

The arch in Mensola was already in use in Ugarit, the capital of the homonymous kingdom, considered (together with Ur and Eridu) as one of the oldest cities in the world, with prehistoric premises that date back to periods even preceding the 6th millennium BC.

Nuragic culture [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

The arch in shelf is testified in different Nuragic structures during the second half of the second millennium BC, among the most remarkable testimonies there are the long corridors of the Nuraghe Santu Antine, superimposed on each other on two floors and which connected the towers , and those of the Madau Isodomi blocks of blocks, or the entrance corridors of Nuraghi such as the is paras.

Mycenaeans [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

The ruins of ancient Mycene testify to the use of the shelf in many arches and times. Atreo’s treasure is an example of important.

Greek culture [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

The shelf arch was particularly widespread for the opening of the postners along the mighty urban walls, preferred to the extended opening. Along the Dionigian walls in Syracuse there is the highest known concentration of this type of arch. The Timoleontee walls of Gela, on the other hand, retain a very precocious shelf arc with a siege acute, also obtained in the wall thickness.

Italian culture [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

One of the most eloquent testimonies in Italy is the sheep arch which entries the acropolis of Arpino, improperly called “pointed arch”; This arch in Mensola also constitutes a typical example of those doors of the walls that are known with the denomination of doors Scee.

Maya [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

The short arches were a constructive feature used by some pre -Columbian American peoples, in particular in that of the Mayan civilization. The prevalence of this arch in the construction of the entrances and times in Mayan architecture is attested by a large number of archaeological sites.