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A voussoir (/vuˈswɑːr/) is a wedge-shaped element, typically a stone, which is used in building an arch or vault.^[1]

Although each unit in an arch or vault is a voussoir, two units are of distinct functional importance: the keystone and the springer. The keystone is the centre stone or masonry unit at the apex of an arch. The springer is the lowest voussoir on each side, located where the curve of the arch springs from the vertical support or abutment of the wall or pier.^[1]

The keystone is often decorated or enlarged. An enlarged and sometimes slightly dropped keystone is often found in Mannerist arches of the 16th century, beginning with the works of Giulio Romano, who also began the fashion for using voussoirs above rectangular openings, rather than a lintel (Palazzo Stati Maccarani, Rome, circa 1522).

The word is a stonemason's term borrowed in Middle English from French verbs connoting a "turn" (OED). Each wedge-shaped voussoir turns aside the thrust of the mass above, transferring it from stone to stone to the springer's bottom face (impost), which is horizontal and passes the thrust on to the supports. Voussoir arches distribute weight efficiently, and take maximum advantage of the compressive strength of stone, as in an arch bridge.^{[citation needed]} The outer boundary of a voussoir forms an extrados, internal - an intrados.^[2]

In Visigothic and Moorish architectural traditions, the voussoirs are often in alternating colours (ablaq), usually red and white. This is also found sometimes in Romanesque architecture.

References

^ ^a ^b Vadnal, Jane (August 1997). "Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture - voussoir". Pitt.edu. University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
^ "Extrados" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 89.

External links

Photo repertory of voussoirs — at www.OntarioArchitecture.com

[Pitt-1] Vadnal, Jane (August 1997). "Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture - voussoir". Pitt.edu. University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 20 December 2017.

[2] "Extrados" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 89.

[1]

[2]

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+{{Short description|Wedge-shaped element used in building an arch or vault}}
-{{redirect|extrados|the bridge design|extradosed bridge}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
+[[File:Old College, University of Edinburgh courtyard facade detail.jpg|thumb|[[William Henry Playfair]], [[University of Edinburgh]]: bevelled edges of each stone block emphasise the voussoirs, which have a curved base and together form a semi-circle at the top of each arch.]]
-{{one source|date=December 2017}}
+A '''voussoir''' ({{IPAc-en|v|u|ˈ|s|w|ɑr}}) is a wedge-shaped element, typically a stone, which is used in building an [[arch]] or [[vault (architecture)|vault]].<ref name=Pitt>{{cite web|first=Jane | last = Vadnal|url=https://Pitt.edu/~medart/menuglossary/voussoir.htm|title=Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture - voussoir|date=August 1997|website=Pitt.edu|publisher=[[University of Pittsburgh]]|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref>
-[[File:Old College, University of Edinburgh courtyard facade detail.jpg|thumb|200px|[[William Henry Playfair]], [[University of Edinburgh]]: bevelled edges of each stone block emphasise the voussoirs, which have a curved base and together form a semi-circle at the top of each arch.]]
-A '''voussoir''' {{IPAc-en|v|u|ˈ|s|w|ɑr}} is a wedge-shaped element, typically a stone, which is used in building an [[arch]] or [[vault (architecture)|vault]].<ref name=Pitt>{{cite web|author=Jane Vadnal|url=https://Pitt.edu/~medart/menuglossary/voussoir.htm|title=Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture - voussoir|date=August 1997|website=Pitt.edu|publisher=[[University of Pittsburgh]]|accessdate=20 December 2017}}</ref>
-Although each unit in an arch or vault is a voussoir, two units are of distinct functional importance: the [[Keystone (architecture)|keystone]] and the [[Springer (architecture)|springer]].  The keystone is the centre stone or masonry unit at the apex of an arch.  The springer is the lowest voussoir on each side, located where the curve of the arch springs from the vertical support or [[abutment]] of the wall or [[pier (architecture)|pier]].<ref name=Pitt/>
+Although each unit in an arch or vault is a voussoir, two units are of distinct functional importance: the [[Keystone (architecture)|keystone]] and the [[Springer (architecture)|springer]].  The keystone is the centre stone or masonry unit at the apex of an arch. The springer is the lowest voussoir on each side, located where the curve of the arch springs from the vertical support or [[abutment]] of the wall or [[pier (architecture)|pier]].<ref name=Pitt/>
-The keystone is often decorated or enlarged.  An enlarged and sometimes slightly dropped keystone is often found in [[Mannerism|Mannerist]] arches of the 16th century, beginning with the works of [[Giulio Romano]], who also began the fashion for using voussoirs above rectangular openings, rather than a [[lintel]] (Palazzo Stati Maccarani, Rome, circa 1522).
+The keystone is often decorated or enlarged.  An enlarged and sometimes slightly dropped keystone is often found in [[Mannerism|Mannerist]] arches of the 16th century, beginning with the works of [[Giulio Romano (painter)|Giulio Romano]], who also began the fashion for using voussoirs above rectangular openings, rather than a [[lintel]] (Palazzo Stati Maccarani, Rome, circa 1522).
-The word is a [[Stonemasonry|mason's]] term borrowed in [[Middle English]] from French verbs connoting a "turn" (''[[OED]]'').  Each wedge-shaped voussoir ''turns aside'' the thrust of the mass above, transferring it from stone to stone to the springer's bottom face ("impost"), which is horizontal and passes the thrust on to the supports.  Voussoir arches distribute weight efficiently, and take maximum advantage of the [[compressive strength]] of stone, as in an [[arch bridge]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}} The outer boundary of a voussoir is referred to as an ''extrados''.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Extrados|volume=10|page=89|short=y}}</ref>
+The word is a [[stonemasonry|stonemason]]'s term borrowed in [[Middle English]] from French verbs connoting a "turn" (''[[OED]]'').  Each wedge-shaped voussoir ''turns aside'' the thrust of the mass above, transferring it from stone to stone to the springer's bottom face ([[impost (architecture)|impost]]), which is horizontal and passes the thrust on to the supports.  Voussoir arches distribute weight efficiently, and take maximum advantage of the [[compressive strength]] of stone, as in an [[arch bridge]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}} The outer boundary of a voussoir forms an [[extrados]], internal - an [[intrados]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Extrados|volume=10|page=89|short=y}}</ref>
-In [[Visigothic art and architecture|Visigothic]] and [[Moorish architecture|Moorish]] architectural traditions, the voussoirs are often in alternating colours, usually red and white. This is sometimes found in [[Romanesque architecture]] also.
+In [[Visigothic art and architecture|Visigothic]] and [[Moorish architecture|Moorish]] architectural traditions, the voussoirs are often in alternating colours (''[[ablaq]]''), usually red and white. This is also found sometimes in [[Romanesque architecture]].
-During the 18th and 19th centuries, British bricklayers became aware that, by thickening the vertical mortar joint between regularly shaped bricks from bottom to top, they could construct an elliptical arch of useful strength{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} over either a standard "former", or over specially constructed timber [[falsework]] (temporary structure to be removed once the construction is complete).  The bricks used in such an arch are often referred to as "voussoirs".
 ==See also==
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 [[Category:Moorish architecture]]
 [[Category:Islamic architectural elements]]
-{{architecturalelement-stub}}