Quiz: What do you know about brick arches?

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The brick arch is a classic feature of traditional brick masonry structures. It is as functional and durable as it is beautiful. A brick masonry arch found in the ruins of Ur in Mesopotamia dates back to 1400 B.C.! But there’s no reason why arches need to be limited to traditional styles, just because they’ve been around forever. Today’s talented architects can incorporate this aesthetically pleasing, useful feature into many building styles.

So, how much do you really know about the concepts and techniques that make a brick arch work? Let’s find out with a little quiz.

  1. Which of the following is not an important feature in the design of a masonry arch?

    a. Abutment
    b. Quoin
    c. Skewback
    d. Crown

  2. True or false: Arches can be either structural or non-structural.

  3. True or false: The flatter the arch, the greater the horizontal thrust.

  4. Of the three failure modes of an un-reinforced arch, which is the least common?

    a. Crushing of the masonry
    b. Rotation of the arch about the abutment
    c. Sliding of the arch at the skewback

  5. True or false: Flashing is not required above an arch as it is with other wall openings.

  6. Where should vertical expansion joints be placed in a run of multiple, closely spaced arches?

    a. Only at the ends of the run of arches
    b. Directly above and center of each arch
    c. Alongside each abutment

Answers:

  1. b

  2. T

  3. T

  4. a

  5. F

  6. a

How’d you do? Need a refresher? Check out these resources on brick masonry arches from the Brick Industry Association.

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Heartland Brick