In architecture, a transverse arch is an arch in a vaulted building that goes across the barrel vault. A series of transverse arches sitting on tops of the columns on the sides of the nave was typical in the churches of Romanesque architecture (common since Carolingian times^[1]). By analogy, the term is also used to describe the transverse ribs of a groined vault and for any crosswise arch in modern buildings.^[2] An arc that goes in transverse direction, but carries an exposed wall on top, dividing the vault into compartments, is called a diaphragm arch.^[1]

In the historical buildings, the transverse arches provide support for purlins and roof ridge beams. They also subdivide the nave into bays.^[3] The springings of the arch are typically pinned to supports using wooden or steel ties, but the bulk of lateral thrust is terminated in the abutments.^[4]

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  The transverse arches are highlighted in green on a plan of a church
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  Transverse arches in Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy
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  Pointed barrel vault with transverse arches (Abbey of Fontenay)
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  Groined vault with transverse arches
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  Cross-ribbed vault with transverse arches
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  Baroque vault with curved transverse arches (church at the Würzburg Residence)
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  Baroque vault with curved transverse arches (church at the Banz Abbey)

• Separating arch, an arch parallel to the sides of the nave

• Bolis, Valentino; Preti, Marco; Marini, Alessandra; Giuriani, Ezio (2017). "Experimental cyclic and dynamic in-plane rocking response of a masonry transverse arch typical of historical churches". Engineering Structures. 147: 285–296. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.05.058.
• Davies, N.; Jokiniemi, E. (2008). "transverse arch". Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction. Elsevier/Architectural Press. p. 391. ISBN 978-0-7506-8502-3. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
• Giuriani, Ezio; Marini, Alessandra; Porteri, Claudia; Preti, Marco (2009-04-28). "Seismic Vulnerability for Churches in Association with Transverse Arch Rocking". International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 3 (3): 212–234. doi:10.1080/15583050802400240. ISSN 1558-3058.
• Hourihane, C. (2012). "Arch". The Grove Encyclopedia of Medieval Art and Architecture. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. pp. 129–134. ISBN 978-0-19-539536-5. Retrieved 2024-12-24.