Remodelling a Medieval Net Vault Construction •

Abstract

In the present study, we analysed the exact, laser-scanned geometry of the apse vault of the catholic church of Andocs. The written sources about this vault are very limited, however, the point cloud-based research could provide new details about the history of the building, along with the formerly used building techniques. For the analysis, we worked based on our three-step analysis process, established for net vaults. During the studying of the rib system, we reconstructed the probable original construction and building method, as well as the temporary supporting structures of the early 16th-century vault. The analysis of the individual ribs led us to conclusions about this vault, in the mirror of the widespread ideas of the topic’s technical literature, such as the “Prinzipalbogen” theory (all the ribs of a given net vault have the same curvature), or the principle of the longest route (the cumulated length of the ribs’ plan, which led from the impost to the crown with the longest possible route equals to the radius of the ribs’ curvature). Regarding the curvilinear rib elements, we presumed a likely fabrication method, based on contemporary research results. Mapping the webbing and the ribs, we concluded their building order, as well as the plausible masonry technique of the webs.

A Methodological Approach and Geometry-Based Typology of Late-Gothic Net Vaults’ Rib Systems. Presented on Case Studies from Historic Hungary

“…Conversely, the rib system of the nave in Szeged-Alsóváros aligns with a cylindrical surface and can be classified in the second theoretical outcome (Chapter 3.1.1). In this case, the intricate details of the vaults' construction techniques suggest that reevaluating the connection between these buildings is worthy of scientific discussion (Jobbik and Krähling 2023b). Worth noting is that seemingly similar results can be achieved through different methods, making the evaluation of geometric details a valuable endeavour.…”

“…Regarding the individual ribs' geometry, the other base question was whether the 'Prinzipalbogen' principle was applied in a given vault. We found clear instances where the principle was applied, such as in the vaults of the churches of Szeged-Alsóváros (Jobbik and Krähling 2023b; Jobbik and Budaházi forthcoming), and of Nyírbátor (Jobbik and Krähling 2023b), and the Matthias oratorio (Jobbik and Krähling 2023a). In the case of the nave vaults of Sigişhoara and Bagaçiu, the principle does not seem to apply.…”