What is a Stone Vault?

A stone vault is a self-supporting arched form, usually made of stone or brick, serving to cover a space with a ceiling or roof, and is closely related to the arch, since the surface of a vault can be described as an arch extended in depth. The stone vault is an arched structure whose concavity faces the interior of the space that must be covered, and when the arch is rotated, then the so-called dome is created.

Understanding Stone Vaults

A stone vault is a complex architectural element that has been used in construction for centuries, and its design and functionality have evolved over time, with various types of vaults being developed, including the barrel vault, ribbed vault, and Gothic vault.

Types of Stone Vaults

The barrel vault, also called a cradle vault, tunnel vault, or wagon vault, has a semicircular cross section, while a groin vault is formed by the perpendicular intersection of two barrel vaults, and a rib vault is supported by a series of arched diagonal ribs that divide the vault’s surface into panels.

FAQs

1. What are the three types of vaults? The three most commonly used vaults are the barrel vault, the ribbed vault, and the Gothic vault.
2. What is the difference between a dome and a vault? The distinction between the two is that a vault is essentially an arch which is extruded into the third dimension, whereas a dome is an arch revolved around its vertical axis.
3. What is a stone barrel vault? A barrel vault is constructed with a rounded arched ceiling that gives the appearance of a tunnel.
4. What is the purpose of a vault? A vault is intended to protect its contents from theft, unauthorized use, fire, natural disasters, and other threats.
5. What is a Gothic vault? A Gothic vault is a type of rib vault that was frequently used in medieval buildings, most famously in Gothic cathedrals.
6. What are vaults used for today? Barrel vaults are also used in many commercial applications, such as greenhouses and arched entryways, and are commonly seen in malls, where the large open skylights provide an abundance of natural lighting.
7. What does a cemetery vault look like? Modern vaults and liners sometimes are lined on the inside with bronze, copper, fiberglass, or stainless steel sheeting, and some vaults and liners are inscribed on the outer surface with words, scenes, or other images.
8. What is the simplest type of vault? A barrel vault is the simplest type of ceiling vault, and a groin vault is the result of two intersecting barrels.
9. What is a church ceiling called? Cathedral ceilings are tall, central, and symmetrical, and these types of vaulted ceilings originated in churches and cathedrals.
10. Why are you buried in a vault? A burial vault is a lined and sealed outer receptacle that houses the casket, and protects the casket from the weight of the earth and heavy maintenance equipment that will pass over the grave.
11. Do you have to be buried in a vault? Outer burial containers and burial vaults are not required by state or federal law, but are required by most cemetery rules and regulations.
12. What is the bottom of a dome called? The inner side of a dome is called the intrados and the outer side is called the extrados.
13. What is a human vault? Human vaults are barrel-shaped particles with outer shells comprised of 78 copies of the major vault protein (MVP).
14. What is the water above the sky in Genesis? The water above the sky represented angels and heaven itself, while the water below represented the demons and their infernal abode.
15. How did the Romans use vaults? The Romans used vaults to build such spectacular structures as the Pantheon and the Colosseum, which are both in Rome, and vaulting enabled the Romans to reduce the weight of the building materials by using recessed panels, called coffers.