Voussoir

Common card · No. 470677

A voussoir (UK: ; US: ) is a wedge-shaped element, typically a stone, which is used in building an arch or vault. Each voussoir is formed in a specific way to fit within the arch or vault created. Normally, different colored stones are shaped to fit together in a curved way that relies on the balance of each other to stay in place. The shaping of the individual wedge pieces varies depending on the type of arch being constructed—round, pointed, horseshoe, multifoil (which require voussoirs to be cut at different angles), and joggled. Joggled voussoirs were originally developed in Roman architecture to strengthen the structure, before being utilized in Islamic architecture. The wedged pieces have a curved shape, almost resembling puzzle pieces that fit together and lock into place. Joggled voussoirs were adopted by Islamic architects in order to strengthen arches and bridges by allowing them to sway with the movements of potential earthquakes and move back to their original position. Although...

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