Arch facts for kids Kids Encyclopedia Facts

"Archway" redirects here. For the area of London, see Archway, London.

An arch

An arch is an opening in a building that is curved on top. The curved part can be round, like part of a circle, or pointed, like two parts of circles next to each other. Arches are often used where buildings are made of lots of small stones or bricks. The stone at the very top of the arch, called the keystone, keeps the rest of the arch stones from falling down. Arches can go over doorways and windows. Many bridges are arches.

Basic concepts

An arch is a soft compression form. It can span a large area by resolving forces into compressive stresses and, in turn eliminating tensile stresses. This is sometimes referred to as arch action. As the forces in the arch are carried to the ground, the arch will push outward at the base, called thrust. As the rise, or height of the arch decreases, the outward thrust increases. In order to maintain arch action and prevent the arch from collapsing, the thrust needs to be restrained, either with internal ties or external bracing, such as abutments.

Fixed vs hinged arch

Rossgraben bridge (Rüeggisberg) near Bern, Switzerland, showing the hinge at mid-span of this three-hinged arch.

The most common true arch configurations are the fixed arch, the two-hinged arch, and the three-hinged arch.

The fixed arch is most often used in reinforced concrete bridge and tunnel construction, where the spans are short. Because it is subject to additional internal stress caused by thermal expansion and contraction, this type of arch is considered to be statically indeterminate.

The two-hinged arch is most often used to bridge long spans. This type of arch has pinned connections at the base. Unlike the fixed arch, the pinned base is able to rotate, allowing the structure to move freely and compensate for the thermal expansion and contraction caused by changes in outdoor temperature. However, this can result in additional stresses, so the two-hinged arch is also statically indeterminate, although not to the degree of the fixed arch.

The three-hinged arch is not only hinged at its base, like the two-hinged arch, but at the mid-span as well. The additional connection at the mid-span allows the three-hinged arch to move in two opposite directions and compensate for any expansion and contraction. This type of arch is thus not subject to additional stress caused by thermal change. The three-hinged arch is therefore said to be statically determinate. It is most often used for medium-span structures, such as large building roofs.

Another advantage of the three-hinged arch is that the pinned bases are more easily developed than fixed ones, allowing for shallow, bearing-type foundations in medium-span structures. In the three-hinged arch, "thermal expansion and contraction of the arch will cause vertical movements at the peak pin joint but will have no appreciable effect on the bases," further simplifying the foundation design.

Types of arches

Arches have many forms, but all fall into three basic categories: circular, pointed, and parabolic. Arches can also be configured to produce vaults and arcades.

Arches with a circular form, also referred to as rounded arches, were commonly employed by the builders of ancient, heavy masonry arches. Ancient Roman builders relied heavily on the rounded arch to span large, open areas. Several rounded arches placed in-line, end-to-end, form an arcade, such as the Roman aqueduct.

Semi-circular arches using brick and/or stone block construction at the Great Wall, China

Roman aqueduct near Nîmes, France: an arcade, employing the circular arch

Horseshoe arches in the 9th-century Mosque of Uqba, in Kairouan, Tunisia

Pointed arches were most often used by builders of Gothic-style architecture. The advantage to using a pointed arch, rather than a circular one, is that the arch action produces less thrust at the base. This innovation allowed for taller and more closely spaced openings, typical of Gothic architecture.

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, Belgium, with a central pointed arch window, typical of Gothic architecture

Vaults are essentially "adjacent arches [that] are assembled side by side." If vaults intersect, complex forms are produced with the intersections. The forms, along with the "strongly expressed ribs at the vault intersections, were dominant architectural features of Gothic cathedrals."

Interior vaulted ceiling of Notre Dame de Paris, showing the ribs at the intersection of several arches

The parabolic arch employs the principle that when weight is uniformly applied to an arch, the internal compression resulting from that weight will follow a parabolic profile. Of all arch types, the parabolic arch produces the most thrust at the base, but can span the largest areas. It is commonly used in bridge design, where long spans are needed.

Tyne Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne, England: a parabolic arch used in bridge design

A series of parabolic arches on the Móra d'Ebre bridge, Catalonia

The catenary arch has a shape different from the parabolic curve. The shape of the curve traced by a loose span of chain or rope, the catenary is the structurally ideal shape for a freestanding arch of constant thickness.

Types of arches displayed chronologically, roughly in the order in which they were developed:

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  Triangular arch

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  Round arch, or semi-circular arch

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  Segmental arch is less than a semicircle

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  Unequal round arch, or rampant round arch

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  Lancet arch

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  Equilateral pointed arch

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  Shouldered flat arch (see also: jack arch)

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  Trefoil arch, or three-foiled cusped arch

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  Horseshoe arch

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  Three-centered arch

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  Elliptical arch

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  Inflexed arch

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  Ogee arch

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  Reverse ogee arch

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  Tudor arch

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  Parabolic arch

Other types

Delicate Arch, a natural arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah

A rock balance sculpture in the form of an arch

A blind arch is an arch infilled with solid construction so it cannot function as a window, door, or passageway.

A special form of the arch is the triumphal arch, usually built to celebrate a victory in war. A famous example is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

Rock formations may form natural arches through erosion, rather than being carved or constructed. Structures such as this can be found in Arches National Park.

Some rock balance sculptures are in the form of an arch.

The arches of the foot support the weight of the human body.

Images for kids

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  Rossgraben bridge (Rüeggisberg) near Bern, Switzerland, showing the hinge at mid-span of this three-hinged arch.

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  Example of semi-circular arches using limestone block construction at the Great Wall, China.

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  Roman aqueduct near Nîmes, France: An example of an arcade, employing the circular arch.

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  Horseshoe arches (9th century) in the Mosque of Uqba, in Kairouan, Tunisia.

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  Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, Belgium, with its central, pointed arch window, typical of Gothic architecture.

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  Interior vaulted ceiling of Notre Dame de Paris, showing the ribs at the intersection of several arches.

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  Tyne Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne, England: An example of a parabolic arch used in bridge design.

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  Pont d'arcades in Móra d'Ebre, Catalonia: the bridge is designed as a series of parabolic arches.

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  The Delicate Arch, a natural arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah

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  Reconstructed Ishtar Gate of Babylon in Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Germany (2014)

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  Arch of Augustus, Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (2015)

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  Arch of Gallienus, Rome, Italy (2006)

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  Arch of Hadrian, Athens, Greece (2013)

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  Arch of Constantine, Rome, Italy, commemorating a victory by Constantine I in 312 AD (2007)

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  The Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France; a 19th-century triumphal arch modelled on the classical Roman design (1998)

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  Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch in the Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, New York City, New York (2007)

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  Washington Square Arch, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York (2010)

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  Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri; a sculpture based on a catenary arch (2011)

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  The dry stone bridge, so called Porta Rosa (4th century BC), in Elea, Province of Salerno, Campania, Italy (2005)

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  Pont Flavien across the River Touloubre in Saint-Chamas, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (2008)

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  Pont du Garde, a Roman aqueduct in Vers-Pont-du-Gard, Gard, France (2014)

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  Bridge in Český Krumlov, Czech Republic (2004)

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  Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy (2011)

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  Pont de Bercy over the River Seine, Paris, France, carrying the Paris Métro on its upper deck and a boulevard extension on its lower deck (2006)

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  Grosvenor Bridge over the River Dee in Chester, Cheshire, England, UK (2007)

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  Union Arch Bridge carrying the Washington Aqueduct and MacArthur Boulevard (formerly named Conduit Road) in Cabin John, Montgomery County, Maryland (2008)

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  Arlington Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. (2007)

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  Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. (2006)

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  Woodrow Wilson Bridge carrying Interstate 95 (I-95) and the Capital Beltway over the Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, Maryland (2007)

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  Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge over the Trinity River in Dallas, Texas (2012)

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  Bridges over the Autostrade A1 motorway and connecting roads in Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (2012)

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  Bridge over the Autostrade A1 motorway in Reggio Emilia, Italy (2015)

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  Gateshead Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK (2005)

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  Tyne Bridge over the River Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK (2004)

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  Hell Gate Bridge over the East River, New York City, New York,

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  Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (2010)

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  Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River, Remagen, Germany, showing damage before collapse during the Battle of Remagen in World War II (1945)

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  Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (2009)

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  Arch supporting the Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (2015)

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  The Second Wembley Stadium in London, built in 2007 (2007)

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  The First San Mamés Stadium, in Bilbao, arch built in 1953, demolished 2013 (2013)

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  St Pancras railway station, London, England (2011)

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  Train shed in St Pancras railway station, London, England (2010)

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  Train shed in Victoria Station, London, England (2006)

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  Lucerne railway station, Switzerland (2010)

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  Train shed in Lucerne railway station, Switzerland (2016)

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  Central railway station, Frankfurt, Germany (2008)

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  Train shed in Central railway station, Frankfurt, Germany (2005)

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  Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan, New York City, New York (2008)

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  Arches in Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan, New York City, New York (2014)

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  Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Germany (2011)

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  The Colosseum in Rome, Italy (2013)

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  Arches inside the Colosseum in Rome, Italy (2005)

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  Stonework arches seen in a ruined stonework building – Burg Lippspringe, Germany

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  Several arches at the Casa Simón Bolívar in Havana, Cuba

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  Kings College, University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England (2007)

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  Arches in dining hall at Kings College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England (2007)

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  Memorial Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (circa 1897-1924 photochrom post card)

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  Arches inside transept, Memorial Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (2016)

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  Arches inside Annenberg Hall, Memorial Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (2016)

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  Healy Hall, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (2009)

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  Arches inside Healy Hall, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (2010)

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  Central Tower, Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, New York City, New York (2013)

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  Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

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  Arches in throne room of Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany (1886 photochrom print)

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  Arches in the nave of the church in monastery of Alcobaça, Portugal

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  North facade of Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France (2008)

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  Arches in choir of Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France (2013)

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  Western facade, Westminster Abbey, City of Westminster, London, England (2013)

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  Arches in nave of Westminster Abbey, City of Westminster, London, England (2006)

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  Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

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  Arches inside the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. (2005)

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  Main facade of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy (2015)

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  Interior arches in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy (2009)

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey (2013)

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  Arches inside the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey (1983)

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  Arches inside the western upper gallery, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey (2007)

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  Interior arches in Masjid al-Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia (2008)

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  Roof of Masjid al-Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia (2008)

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  Dome of the Rock, Old City of Jerusalem (2010)

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  Arches inside Dome of the Rock, Old City of Jerusalem (2014)

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  Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India (2009)

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  Entrance to grounds of Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India (2004)

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  East side of United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. (2005)

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  Arches in corridor of United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. (2006)

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  Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (2008)

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  Arches in Main Reading Room, Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (2009)

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  Arches in Great Hall, Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (2007)

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  Art Deco arches on Chrysler Building, Manhattan, New York City, New York (2005)

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  New York Public Library Main Branch, Manhattan, New York City, New York (2016)

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  Arches inside entrance of New York Public Library Main Branch, Manhattan, New York City, New York (2012)

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  Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan, New York City, New York (2012)

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  Arches in Great Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan, New York City, New York (2012)

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  Winter Palace, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia (2016)

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  Arches near Jordan Staircase, Winter Palace, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia (2015)

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  Arches in Pavilion Hall, Small Hermitage, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia (2015)

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  Cour Carrée, Louvre Palace, Paris, France (2010)

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  Arches in Salle du Manège, Louvre Palace, Paris, France (2007)

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  Palace of Versailles, Versailles, Yvelines, France (2012)

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  Arches in Galerie des Batailles, Palace of Versailles, Versailles, Yvelines, France (2013)

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  Arches in Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles, Versailles, Yvelines, France (2011)

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  Palace of Westminster, City of Westminster, London, England (2010)

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  Arches in Westminster Hall, Palace of Westminster, City of Westminster, London, England (2011)

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  Arches in St. Stevens Hall, Palace of Westminster, City of Westminster, London, England (2007)

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  Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza, Spain (2005)

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  Horseshoe arch inside Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza, Spain (2004)

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  Multifoil arches inside Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza, Spain (2004)

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  Catenary arches inside Casa Milà in Barcelona, Spain by Antoni Gaudí

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  Rajasthani style arches inside the 16th century City Palace, Udaipur, India

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  Main façade of the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília, Brazil, decorated with many arches.

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  Smithsonian Institution Building ("The Castle"), Washington, D.C. (2007)

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  Arches inside the Smithsonian Institution Building ("The Castle"), Washington, D.C. (2012)

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  National Building Museum (formerly Pension Building), Washington, D.C. (2005)

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  Arches inside National Building Museum (formerly Pension Building), Washington, D.C. (2007)

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  Main facade of the Old Post Office Pavilion (now the Trump International Hotel) in Washington, D.C. (2012)

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  Front entrance of Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, D.C. (2006)

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  Arches inside Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, D.C. (2009)

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  Arches in Merzouga, Morocco (2011)

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  Crypt of the Popes in the Catacomb of Callixtus, Rome, Italy (2007)

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  Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD) tomb chamber (2008)

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  Entrance to Washington family tomb at Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, Virginia (2014)

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  Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, Virginia (2014)

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  Landscape Arch, Arches National Park, Utah (2009)

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  Double O Arch, Arches National Park, Utah (2007)