Home Building And Repairs

How To Create Different Circular Arch Shapes – Home Building Tips


Let's clear up some confusion about how to determine the sizes and shapes of arches. We'll explore how the shapes of many arches are actually derived from circles.

Exploring Arch Examples

We begin by showcasing several arches. The first arch has a simple half-circle shape, which is straightforward to create. The second arch is more intricate, but it too can be derived from a circle by adjusting its position.

Types of Arches and the Circle Principle

There are various types of arches, such as round arches and elliptical arches. However, the fundamental principle behind creating the size and shape of the cutout for most arches remains the same: it's all about the circle.

Circles of Varying Sizes

Next, we present several circles with different sizes. The radii of these circles range from 3 feet to 15 feet. It's important to remember that these are the radii, not the diameters, of the circles.

A Sample Arch and its Circle

We showcase a sample arch that is 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall. By zooming in on the cutout of the arch, we illustrate how the arch shape can be derived from a circle. The center point of the circle is positioned at the center of the arch.

Creating an Arch

To create a similar arch, you would start by drawing a 3-foot radius circle at the center of the location where the arch will be built. Because the arch has a half-circle shape, only half of the circle needs to be drawn.

Another Arch, Another Circle

We then present another arch that can be derived from a larger circle. Similar to the previous arch, only half of the circle would be used to create the arch shape.

Relocating the Circle for Different Shapes

By repositioning the circle up and down, different arch shapes can be achieved. For instance, moving the circle down would result in a shorter arch.

The Arch Creation Process

The process of creating an arch shape involves first identifying the area where the arch will be built on the building structure. Then, the center of the circle needs to be relocated to create the desired shape for the top of the arch.

Simplifying Arch Creation

It's acknowledged that it can be challenging to understand how to create different arch shapes. The method explained here aims to simplify this process.

Back To Arch Framing

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