Chapter

Nexus Network Journal

Volume 9,2 of the series Nexus Network Journal pp 211-248

Oval Domes: History, Geometry and Mechanics

  • Santiago HuertaAffiliated withE. T.S. de Arquitectura, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

* Final gross prices may vary according to local VAT.

Get Access

Abstract

An oval dome may be defined as a dome whose plan or profile (or both) has an oval form. The word “oval” comes from the Latin ovum, egg. The present paper contains an outline of the origin and application of the oval in historical architecture; a discussion of the spatial geometry of oval domes, that is, the different methods employed to lay them out; a brief exposition of the mechanics of oval arches and domes; and a final discussion of the role of geometry in oval arch and dome design.

Keywords

oval domes history of engineering history of construction structural design