Editing Gothic architecture (section)

===Rib vaults===
{{Main|Rib vault}}
[[File:Ossature.voute.arc.ogive.png|thumb|right|Structure of an early six-part Gothic rib vault. (drawing by [[Eugène Viollet-le-Duc]])]]
The Gothic [[rib vault]] was one of the essential elements that made the great height and large windows of Gothic architecture possible.{{Sfn|McNamara|2017|p=122}} Unlike the semi-circular [[barrel vault]] of [[Ancient Roman architecture|Roman]] and [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] buildings, where the weight pressed directly downward, and required thick walls and small windows, the Gothic rib vault was made of diagonal crossing arched ribs. These ribs directed the [[thrust]] outwards to the corners of the vault, and downwards via slender [[colonnette]]s and bundled columns, to the pillars and columns below. The space between the ribs was filled with thin panels of small pieces of stone, which were much lighter than earlier [[groin vault]]s. The outward thrust against the walls was countered by the weight of [[buttress]]es and later [[flying buttress]]es. As a result, the massive, thick walls of Romanesque buildings were no longer needed, as since the vaults were supported by columns and [[Pier (architecture)|piers]], the walls could be made thinner and higher, and filled with windows.{{Sfn|Ducher|1988|p=46}}{{sfn|Mignon|2015|pp=10–11}}{{sfn|Bechmann|2017|pp=183–185}}

The earlier Gothic rib vaults, used at [[Sens Cathedral]] (begun between 1135 and 1140) and [[Notre-Dame de Paris]] (begun 1163), were divided by the ribs into six compartments. They were very difficult to build and could only cross a limited space. Since each vault covered two bays, they needed support on the ground floor from [[Alternation of supports|alternating columns and piers]]. In later construction, the design was simplified, and the rib vaults were divided into only four compartments. The alternating rows of alternating columns and piers receiving the vaults' weight were replaced by simple pillars, each receiving the same weight. A single vault could cross the nave. This method was used at [[Chartres Cathedral]] (1194–1220), [[Amiens Cathedral]] (begun 1220), and [[Reims Cathedral]].{{sfn|Renault|Lazé|2006|p=35}} The four-part vaults made it possible for taller buildings to be constructed. Notre-Dame, which had begun with six-part vaults, reached a height of {{cvt|35|m|ft}}. Amiens Cathedral, which had begun with the newer four-part ribs, reached a height of {{cvt|42.3|m|ft}} at the transept.{{Sfn|Ducher|1988|p=46}}{{sfn|Mignon|2015|pp=18–28}}

<gallery heights="180">
File:Sens - Cathédrale 09.jpg|Early six-part rib vaults in [[Sens Cathedral]] (1135–1164)
File:Canterbury Cathedral Choir 1, Kent, UK - Diliff crop.jpg|Rib vaults of choir of [[Canterbury Cathedral]] (1174–77)
File:Reims Cathedral, interior (4).jpg|Stronger four-part rib vaults in nave of [[Reims Cathedral]] (1211–1275)
File:Salisbury Cathedral Interior 01.jpg|A rectangular four-part vault over a single [[Bay (architecture)|bay]] in [[Salisbury Cathedral]] (1220–1258)
</gallery>
[[File:Crucero, Catedral de Sevilla, Sevilla, España, 2015-12-06, DD 94-96 HDR.JPG|thumb|A crossing vault in [[Seville Cathedral]]]]