A Proposal for Utilization of Vaults as Floor-slab Structures in Contemporary Architecture

Vaults are among the oldest known engineering structures, and have escorted the history of architecture through thousands of years. Nowadays, construction industry rarely uses them, and doesn’t consider them as a general option to be used for floorslab structures, although they offer several opportunities. The presentation aims to re-introduce vaults into everyday usage, emphasizing their efficient shape, building technology and aesthetic values. The following aspects are featured in the paper: -mathematical definition of vaults, -main technical terms considering vault constructions, -main features of the statics of vaults, -connection of the force-trajectory and the central core, -importance of shape for ideal material distribution, -a proposal for a contemporary floorslab structure featuring beams and narrow vaultzones, -pros and cons of the proposed floorslab structure