Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Arcs-and-cables: Deformations, Subsystems, and Cable Networks

In course

CIVIL-122: Structures I

Le cours présente les bases du comportement des structures, de la détermination des efforts qui y agissent et les principes de leur dimensionnement. Le cours est basé sur la résolution des efforts par la statique graphique. ...

Description

This lecture covers the concepts of deformations, subsystems, shape, rigidity, cable networks, sizing, efforts, resistance, hulls, vaults, domes, stability, and the course of structures. It also includes evaluations and applets for practical design exercises.

Instructor

Olivier Burdet

Born 1960, Olivier Burdet has received his Diploma in Civil Engineering from EPFL in 1983. After a couple years in engineering practice, he went back to studying at the university of Texas at Austin, where he received his PhD in 1990. Returning to EPFL in 1990, he is now a senior researcher and a lecturer in the field of reinforced concrete structures. He is also actively involved in the development of internet-based course contents and MOOCs.

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Dome

A dome () is an architectural element similar to the hollow upper half of a sphere. There is significant overlap with the term cupola, which may also refer to a dome or a structure on top of a dome. The precise definition of a dome has been a matter of controversy and there are a wide variety of forms and specialized terms to describe them. A dome can rest directly upon a rotunda wall, a drum, or a system of squinches or pendentives used to accommodate the transition in shape from a rectangular or square space to the round or polygonal base of the dome.

Groin vault

A groin vault or groined vault (also sometimes known as a double barrel vault or cross vault) is produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults. The word "groin" refers to the edge between the intersecting vaults. Sometimes the arches of groin vaults are pointed instead of round. In comparison with a barrel vault, a groin vault provides good economies of material and labor. The thrust is concentrated along the groins or arrises (the four diagonal edges formed along the points where the barrel vaults intersect), so the vault need only be abutted at its four corners.

Rib vault

A rib vault or ribbed vault is an architectural feature for covering a wide space, such as a church nave, composed of a framework of crossed or diagonal arched ribs. Variations were used in Roman architecture, Byzantine architecture, Islamic architecture, Romanesque architecture, and especially Gothic architecture. Thin stone panels fill the space between the ribs. This greatly reduced the weight and thus the outward thrust of the vault. The ribs transmit the load downward and outward to specific points, usually rows of columns or piers.

Barrel vault

A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault, wagon vault or wagonhead vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve (or pair of curves, in the case of a pointed barrel vault) along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design. The barrel vault is the simplest form of a vault: effectively a series of arches placed side by side (i.e., one after another). It is a form of barrel roof.

Vault (architecture)

In architecture, a vault (French voûte, from Italian volta) is a self-supporting arched form, usually of stone or brick, serving to cover a space with a ceiling or roof. As in building an arch, a temporary support is needed while rings of voussoirs are constructed and the rings placed in position. Until the topmost voussoir, the keystone, is positioned, the vault is not self-supporting. Where timber is easily obtained, this temporary support is provided by centering consisting of a framed truss with a semicircular or segmental head, which supports the voussoirs until the ring of the whole arch is completed.

Related lectures (29)

Structures Haubanées: Arcs-et-Câbles

Explores efforts, resistance, balance, and shape in structures, using the Marseille transporter bridge as an example.

The Art of Structures: Introduction to Architectural Structural Design

Introduces architectural structural design, covering forces, equilibrium, resistance, and various structural elements in 2D and 3D spaces.

Introduction to Structures in Architecture

Introduces the functioning of structures in architecture, covering beams, arcs, cables, vaults, domes, rigidity, stability, and deformations.

Structures: Introduction to Functioning

Covers the art of structures, focusing on rigidity, stability, beams, cables, and subsystems.

Forces at Supports: Design and Calculation