Arches

Arch – a structural element that carries loads by developing compressive forces
Axial Thrust
Counter-Front Walls
Fixed Ended Arches – Arches that have fixed end connections
Flying Buttress – an external bracing system that resists the effect of outward thrust
Ideal Arch – An arch that carries loads by compression only and cannot resist any lateral forces
Shear Force
Statically Determinate Arches – Arches with three or less number of reactions
Statically Indeterminate Arches – Arches with greater than three reactions, including both two-hinged and fixed arches
Struts
Three Hinged Arch – An arch with three hinge connections
Tied Arch – An arch that resists outward thrust by tying the two supports below the floor level
Two-Hinged Arch (Parabolic Arch) – An arch with two hinges at the supports that transfers the axial thrust and the shear force as horizontal and vertical forces to the foundation