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An observation on the fan vault of Henry VII Chapel, Westminster

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2008

Jacques Heyman
Jacques Heyman
Affiliation:
3 Banham's CloseCambridge CB4 1HXUnited Kingdom
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Abstract

A close inspection was made of the vault of Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey, when it was scaffolded for repair and maintenance in 1994–95. Defects were seen which appear to be peculiar to fan vaults, and this paper attempts to explain these defects. The discussion involves an understanding of the behaviour of masonry, from the simplest arch form to barrel vaults, rib vaults and the complex fan structure, with an examination of the ‘pathology’ of these forms.

Type
Structure
Information
arq: Architectural Research Quarterly , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , December 2000 , pp. 357 - 372
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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