Editing Arch (section)

==Arrangements==
A sequence of arches can be grouped together forming an [[Arcade (architecture)|arcade]]. [[Roman architecture|Romans]] perfected this form, as shown, for example, by arched structures of [[Pont du Gard]].{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Ancient Greece and Rome}} In the interior of [[hall church]]es, arcades of [[separating arch]]es were used to separate the [[nave]] of a church from the side aisle,<ref>Günther Wasmuth (ed.): ''Wasmuths Lexikon der Baukunst'', vol. 4: ''P - Zyp''. Wasmuth, Berlin 1932, {{p.|293}}.</ref> or two adjacent side aisles.<ref>{{Ill|Wilfried Koch|de}}: ''Baustilkunde - Europäische Baukunst von der Antike bis zur Gegenwart''. Sonderausgabe, Orbis Verlag, München 1988, {{ISBN|3-572-05927-5}}, {{p.|447}}.</ref>

'''Two-tiered arches''', with two arches superimposed, were sometimes used in [[Islamic architecture]], mostly for decorative purposes.{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Two-tiered}}

An opening of the arch can be filled, creating a [[blind arch]]. Blind arches are frequently decorative, and were extensively used in [[Early Christian architecture|Early Christian]], [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]], and Islamic architecture.{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Blind}}  Alternatively, the opening can be filled with smaller arches, producing a '''containing arch''', common in [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] and Romanesque architecture.{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Containing}} Multiple arches can be superimposed with an offset, creating an [[interlaced arch|interlaced]] series of usually (with some exceptions) blind and decorative arches. Most likely of Islamic origin, the interlaced arcades were popular in Romanesque and Gothic architecture.{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Interlace}} '''Rear-arch''' (also '''rere-arch''') is the one that frames the internal side of an opening in the external wall.{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Rear-arch [rere-arch]}}

<gallery>
File:Pont du Gard - panoramio (11).jpg|Arcades of [[Pont du Gard]] (Roman)
File:REI St Zeno 23.jpg|Separating arches in the {{Ill|Kirche St. Zeno (Bad Reichenhall)|de|3=Kirche St. Zeno (Bad Reichenhall)|lt=St. Zeno church}} 
File:ES Cordoba 1104 (150) (17245613545).jpg|Two-tiered arches in the [[Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba]] (Islamic)
File:Blind venetian arch, Chapel Milton Viaduct.jpg|Large blind arch containing three smaller blind arches
File:Castle Acre Priory 05.jpg|Interlaced arcade of blind arches at [[Castle Acre]] (Romanesque)
File:LangfordOxon StMatthew ChancelWindow.JPG|Rear arch around three lights  at [[St Matthew's Church, Langford]]
</gallery>

=== Structural ===
Structurally, [[relieving arch]]es (often blind or containing) can be used to take off load from some portions of the building (for example, to allow use of thinner exterior walls with larger window openings, or, as in the [[Roman Pantheon]], to redirect the weight of the upper structures to particular strong points).{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Containing}} [[Transverse arch]]es, introduced in [[Carolingian architecture]], are placed across the [[nave]] to compartmentalize (together with longitudinal separating arches) the internal space into [[Bay (architecture)|bays]] and support [[Vault (architecture)|vaults]].{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Transverse}} A [[diaphragm arch]] similarly goes in the transverse direction, but carries a section of wall on top. It is used to support or divide sections of the high roof.{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Diaphragm}} [[Strainer arch]]es were built as an afterthought to prevent two adjacent supports from imploding due to miscalculation. Frequently they were made very decorative, with one of the best examples provided by the [[Wells Cathedral]].  Strainer arches can be "[[inverted arch|inverted]]" (upside-down) while remaining structural.{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Inverted}}{{sfn | Woodman | Bloom | 2003 | loc=Strainer}}  When used across railway cuttings to prevent collapse of the walls, strainer arches may be referred to as [[flying arch]]es.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rare Victorian Railway Arches Saved |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/rare-victorian-railway-arches-saved/ |website=historicengland.org.uk |publisher=Historic England |access-date=21 April 2024 |language=en |date=18 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|num=1072648 |desc=Series of 16 strainer arches in railway cutting at SD 581 192|access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref> A [[counter-arch]] is built adjacent to another arch to oppose its horizontal action or help to stabilize it, for example, when constructing a [[flying buttress]].{{sfn|Curl|2006|loc=counter-arch |p=207}}

<gallery>
File:Back of the Pantheon, Walking Tour, Rome (45506980035).jpg|Relieving blind arches made of bricks at the Roman Pantheon
File:Kaiserdom Speyer Germany - panoramio (1).jpg|Transverse arches in [[Speyer Cathedral]]
File:Firenze kosciol San Miniato 4.jpg|Diaphragm arch in [[San Miniato al Monte]]
File:Wells Cathedral (St. Andrew) (17087358042).jpg|"Scissors" strainer arch arrangement in [[Wells Cathedral]] includes an inverted arch
</gallery>
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