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Arch

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Garden design
We had an arch made, which was a real fiddle for the stonemasons.  After 4 years it is beginning to crack and needs rebuilding.  The question is, should we have such a deep arch as it is now, or a more shallow curve to follow the line of the gate?
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Posts

  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Arch I was going to post some pictures, but I will have to take a few more - I will try to post them here tomorrow.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The curve of the stone arch is a centuries old design intended for strength.  Just look at old Roman style churches.  I think your stone masons just need to come and repair or re-do it as it should have lasted more than a few years.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    I think,  ( correct me if I am wrong ) that the centre brick should be more triangular than it is. They are more like that in old arches. That's where the strength comes from. 
    West Yorkshire
  • David WDavid W Posts: 84
    I agree with Pauline. That final piece would be the keystone which locks all the others in place and gives the arch its strength. Though I am no expert.

    cheers,
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    Obelixx said:
    The curve of the stone arch is a centuries old design intended for strength.  Just look at old Roman style churches.  I think your stone masons just need to come and repair or re-do it as it should have lasted more than a few years.
    I’m not sure a stone mason that clearly doesn’t know what a keystone is would be worth calling back...not that I’m an expert or anything.
  • kristine015kristine015 Posts: 66
    Just want to say the arch is beautiful! 
    Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. -A. Einstein 
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    That arch looks quite nice, but IMHO the gate is a total mismatch. :/
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    The central brick, the one which has the cracks either side of it, needs to be much more triangular as others have said.  The basic principal of the arch is that if it tries to drop the segments lock against each other.  A top piece with straight sides will simple drop out, as is basically starting to happen there.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the original job or the stone masons who worked on the arch - their gaffer was a real craftsman but was on his last legs (died soon after our job) and didn't involve himself too much with the physical work. They made a wooden frame replica of the arch shape to work to.
    I will relay your comments to the stone mason who is starting next week - thanks for all the helpful comments.
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